Espinoza or McAlister? Early voting open for Abilene City Council runoff election
Newcomer Miguel Espinoza and incumbent Kyle McAlister are vying for the Place 5 seat. A candidate must garner 50% of the vote plus one vote to win.
During the May 3 election, three candidates split the vote in the race for Place 5.
McAlister received 49.78% of the vote, and Espinoza received 42.98%.
The third candidate Cynthia Alvidrez received 7.24% of the vote.
Eligible voters can put their vote in for Espinoza or McAlister at three polling locations during the early voting period, Tuesday-Friday this week and June 2-3.
Here is where you can vote early:
Taylor County Plaza, 400 Oak St. Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. May 27-30 and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. June 2-3.
Mall of Abilene, 4310 Buffalo Gap Road. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 27-30 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 2-3.
Abilene City Hall, 555 Walnut St. Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. May 27-30 and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. June 2-3.
Election Day voting centers are open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. June 7.
Here are the Election Day polling locations:
Abilene City Hall, 555 Walnut St.
New Beginnings United Pentecostal, 5535 Buffalo Gap Road
Taylor County Plaza, 400 Oak St.
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4515 South 14th St.
Espinoza is a born-and-raised Abilene native, a graduate of Abilene High School and Abilene Christian University and works as an accountant at a local Abilene firm.
As he grew professionally, Espinoza said he found a passion for nonprofit work.
He volunteered with All Kind Animal Initiative since its fruition serving on its board as treasurer and president.
He sits on the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature Board and serves on several state committees related to his career in accounting.
Espinoza said his reason for running for City Council stems from his desire to pour back into the community that gave him so much.
"I love my community, and I want to set an example for, hopefully one day, my future children and grandchildren," he said.
Do not just exist in your community, Espinoza said. Use your gifts and personal blessings and give back.
McAlister, the Place 5 incumbent, has served on the City Council since 2013.
He said he is ready and able to serve again.
"The challenges that we have ahead of us are really some of the same challenges that we've always had," McAlister said.
City officials are tackling streets and water, solidifying infrastructure and continuing to develop job opportunities by bringing in companies and offering incentives to those companies, McAlister said.
"I want people to know that I'm working hard for them and that I am here to listen," McAlister said.
His job as a City Council member is to get results and work with the public, the other council members and city staff to work through problems together, he said.
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This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Early voting open for Abilene City Council runoff election
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