The dust has finally settled. If you’ve walked through San Jacinto Plaza lately or grabbed a coffee in Five Points, you’ve likely heard the chatter. The El Paso election results didn't just change a few names on the door; they basically flipped the script on how this city is run. Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of between the November general election and the December runoffs.
People expected a shift, sure. But did we expect the first Black mayor in the city’s history and a near-total makeover of the City Council? Probably not to this extent.
The Mayor’s Race: A Historic Shift
Renard Johnson. That’s the name everyone is talking about now. He’s a businessman, a local guy who grew up on the Northeast side, and now he's the one sitting in the mayor’s office. He beat Brian Kennedy in the December 14 runoff with about 56% of the vote. Kennedy, who had been a city representative, just couldn't bridge that gap in the final weeks.
It was a long road. Back in November, there were eight people on the ballot. Total chaos, basically. Johnson led that pack too, but in Texas, if you don’t get over 50%, you’re heading to a runoff.
"They can expect transparency. They can expect me bringing people together," Johnson told supporters at his victory party.
He’s officially taking over for Oscar Leeser, who reached his term limit. Johnson’s pitch was pretty simple: run the city like a business. He talked a lot about cutting waste and fixing infrastructure. You know, the stuff that actually makes your drive to work less of a nightmare.
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The New Faces of City Council
If you think the mayor’s race was the only big news, you’ve gotta look at the council. We aren't just talking about one or two seats. We are talking about five new representatives.
Because three sitting council members had to give up their seats just to run for mayor, the turnover was massive. It’s like the city’s legislative branch went through a complete hard reset.
- District 1: Alejandra Chavez took this one with a solid 63% against Monica Reyes.
- District 3: Deanna Maldonado-Rocha won with 63% of the vote, beating Jose Rodriguez.
- District 4: This was the shocker. Cynthia Boyar Trejo knocked out the incumbent, Joe Molinar. She got 54%. Seeing an incumbent lose is always a bit of a "wait, what?" moment in local politics.
- District 5: Ivan Niño pulled in 62% to secure his spot.
- District 7: Lily Limón is back, winning with 57%.
It’s a younger, arguably more business-oriented council than we've seen in a while. Honestly, the dynamic at City Hall is going to be completely different when they start debating the next budget. You’ve got a mix of political newcomers and people like Limón who know where the bodies are buried, so to speak.
Money and Bonds: What We Said "No" To
Let’s talk about the money. The El Paso election results also covered a bunch of "Capital Improvement Bonds." This is where the city asks, "Hey, can we borrow hundreds of millions of dollars for stuff?"
Voters were feeling kinda picky this time around. Out of five major bond propositions, we only passed three.
- Proposition A (Parks): Passed. $95 million for park upgrades.
- Proposition B (Medical Examiner): Passed. $26.7 million for a new facility.
- Proposition E (Animal Shelter): Passed. $32.7 million for a new shelter.
But then there were the "Nos."
Proposition C, which was $63 million for the courthouse and annexes? Rejected. Proposition D, over $100 million to renovate the County Coliseum? Also rejected. It seems like El Pasoans are okay with spending on dogs and parks, but when it comes to government buildings and stadiums, the "taxpayer fatigue" is real.
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And then there’s the MPC—the Multipurpose Performing Arts and Entertainment Facility. Remember that 2012 bond that’s been haunted for over a decade? Voters finally got to weigh in on whether to just kill the authority to issue the remaining $128 million in bonds for it.
The County Level: New Sheriff in Town
We can't ignore the county side of things. Oscar Ugarte is our new Sheriff. He beat Minerva Torres Shelton in the general election with 59% of the vote. He's replacing Richard Wiles, who had been there forever.
James Montoya also won the District Attorney race, defeating the Republican incumbent Bill Hicks. This was a big deal for local Democrats. Montoya had to survive a really tight primary runoff against Alma Trejo earlier in the year just to get to the general. He won that primary runoff by only about 1,000 votes. Every single vote really does matter in these local races.
Why the Turnout Matters (Or Doesn't)
Here is the part that’s kinda depressing: the turnout.
In the December runoff, less than 10% of registered voters actually showed up. Think about that. A tiny fraction of the city decided who the mayor would be for the next four years.
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It’s a weird quirk of El Paso politics. We have these massive general elections in November with high energy because of the presidential race, and then everything goes quiet for the runoffs in December. People are busy with the holidays, it’s cold (for El Paso), and the "election fatigue" hits hard.
But those who did show up made their voices heard loud and clear. They wanted a change from the status quo.
What Happens Now?
So, what should you actually do with all this info?
First, keep an eye on the first few City Council meetings in early 2026. This is when the "honeymoon phase" ends and the real work on the budget begins. Johnson has promised a lot regarding property taxes, and with a mostly new council, we’re going to see if those promises hold water.
Second, if you’re a business owner or just a concerned neighbor, reach out to your new representative. With so many new faces, they are literally looking for input right now.
Third, stay tuned for the park and animal shelter projects. Since we approved those bonds, the city is going to start the planning phases. If you live near a park that’s scheduled for a face-lift, now is the time to check the city’s website for public hearing dates.
The El Paso election results aren't just a list of winners; they are a mandate for a different kind of city management. Whether that actually happens is up to us to watch.
Next Steps for You:
Check the City of El Paso’s official "Find My Representative" tool to see which of the five new council members represents your neighborhood. Follow the El Paso County Elections Department social media pages to stay updated on the next round of local school board and utility district elections, which often happen with even less fanfare but just as much impact.