All four Wichita Falls races contested for November election

For the upcoming November election, all four available city official positions have contested races.

On city council, the position of mayor and councilor seats for Districts 3, 4, and 5 are up for grabs.

Incumbents for all open positions are seeking re-election.

Current Mayor Stephen L. Santellana will face opponent Kevin Hunter.

Hunter is a lifelong Wichitan and vocal opponent of tax increases and bond proposals.

A conservative heavily involved in the "Vote No" group, which is opposed to many bond proposals, Hunter said he is concerned with increased government at any level. He would like to see the tax base grow in Wichita Falls, but does not think increasing taxes is the way to accomplish this.  

Hunter was an opponent of the original plan for the new hotel near the Multi-Purpose Events Center. 

District 3 Councilor Jeff Browning is running against candidate Mel. E. Martinez.

Martinez is the pastor of the Wichita Falls Metropolitan Community Church.

District 4 Councilor Tim Brewer will be facing off with Jason Hester.

Hester is a Midwestern State University graduate and a veteran. He is a fiscal conservative and while he would like to see economic growth in the community, he opposes raising taxes.

District 5 Councilor Steven Jackson will be running against Thomas “Tom” Taylor.

Taylor is a 76-year-old retiree from both the Air Force and civil service. He has been a resident of the district for 35 years.

Claire Kowalick, a senior journalist for the Times Record News, covers local government, military and MSU Texas. If you have a news tip, contact Claire at ckowalick@gannett.com.

Twitter: @KowalickNews