Maddie Smith elected to Stephenville City Council in landslide; Ben McCleery wins school board seat.
For a relatively small voter turnout, it was a landslide victory for Maddie Smith.
The 36-year-old accounts manager for Barefoot won her bid for Place 5 on the Stephenville City Council after beating her opponent Justin Slawson by a fairly large margin.
When the final votes were tallied, it was Smith – 592 votes (68.5%); Slawson – 284 votes (32.4%).
“I am excited and ready to hit the ground running,” Maddie told Beneath the Surface News. “I want to thank my husband Jason, Kimmie McKinney and Ricky Thurman for all their help and support.
“I couldn’t have done this without them.”
Brandon Greenhaw will also join the city council after running unopposed for Place 7.
SISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The race for Place 6 on the Stephenville ISD Board of Trustees was decidedly closer with Ben McCleery edging Dr. Rita Cook by just 47 votes in early voting.
McCleery was able to hold on to his lead when the final votes were tallied.
In the end it was McCleery – 645 votes (56.8%); Cook – 490 votes (43.1%).
“I am thankful for the support from the voters,” McCleery said moments after the results were announced. “Mrs. Cook is a class act and I consider her a friend.
“I gave it my best and left the rest up to the Lord.”
Cook also issued a statement Saturday night.
"I want to thank everyone who took the time to vote and support me in this election," she said.
"Although I am disappointed in not winning, I am gratified by how many people reached out to support me. We have a great school district, and I encourage everyone to continue to support the district and the board as they make decisions that impact our schools."
