LEANDER, Texas -- What was being hailed as the most civil election this rapidly growing Austin suburb has seen in recent memory quickly turned contentious in the runoff.
Incumbent Becki Ross faces challenger Pulla Reddy Yeduru in the runoff election for Leander City Council Place 6. Early voting continues through Tuesday, June 11, with runoff election day Saturday, June 15.
The total number of voters so far is under 600 -- a low turnout in early voting for the final of three elections in a month's time for the city (local election, primary runoff, and now local runoff) while the nation seems exclusively focused on the November presidential contest.
With a narrow four-vote victory for Mike Herrera over incumbent Esmeralda Mattke Longoria on May 4 in Place 2, the balance of power shifted on the seven-member Council from majority Democrat-favored Council members (see images below) to conservative and Republican-affiliated. A $12,000 recount paid for by Longoria's campaign in late May did not change the final outcome.
