Denton City Council certifies May 3 election, orders June 7 runoff in District 3; three council members sworn in

City Secretary Lauren Thoden presented the official returns from the City of Denton’s May 3 general and special elections on May 13, and the Denton City Council adopted an ordinance certifying the results and ordering a runoff in District 3.

Thoden said the May 3 election was ordered by ordinance 25-186 on Feb. 4 and the special charter amendment election was ordered by ordinance 25-041 on Jan. 14. She said the city received official results from Denton County Elections showing one unopposed candidate in District 1, two candidates in District 2, three candidates in District 3 and one unopposed candidate in District 4. Thoden identified the District 3 top two vote-getters as Margie Ellis and Susie Rumor and reported that the propositions on the charter produced the following outcomes: Proposition A (make charter language gender-neutral) — majority yes; Proposition B (resolve conflicts with state law and clarify language) — majority yes; Proposition C (increase municipal judge term from two to four years) — majority no. Thoden also said Brian Beck received a majority share and was declared a winner (reported as 58.2% in the presentation).

The council voted 7-0 to adopt the draft ordinance (ordinance No. 25-445) canvassing the returns and declaring the winners; the recorded tally was 7 yes, 0 no. The ordinance also declares that no candidate received a majority in District 3 and orders a runoff election to be held Saturday, June 7, 2025. The council did not identify additional conditions or amendments to the canvass during the vote.

After the canvass, the council proceeded with Item B to issue certificates of election, statements of officer and administer oaths of office. The council recognized Vicky Byrd as the duly elected council member for District 1 and administered the statutory oaths. Byrd delivered brief remarks after being sworn in, saying in part, “these last four years have just been so outstanding… I appreciate the transparency,” and that she plans to “make these next two years my very best years.”

Brian Beck was recognized and sworn in as council member for District 2; during his remarks he said, “I am so very grateful… the citizens of Denton saw fit to bring me back again” and described the swearing-in as a recommitment to shared goals. Joe Holland was recognized and sworn in as council member for District 4; Holland noted his long ties to Denton, saying, “I love this city. I was born just down the street… I raised my family here,” and said street repairs and other infrastructure work are priorities.

City Secretary Thoden told the council the canvass materials and the totals submitted by Denton County Elections would be provided with the adopted ordinance. The council did not take additional votes related to the issuance of certificates or the oaths; those steps were performed as part of the meeting’s routine concluding business. The meeting adjourned at 2:26 p.m.

Votes at a glance: ordinance No. 25-445 (canvass and declare election winners, order District 3 runoff) — motion adopted 7-0. Proposition results as reported by city staff: Proposition A — passed (majority yes); Proposition B — passed (majority yes); Proposition C — failed (majority no). Runoff ordered for District 3: Saturday, June 7, 2025.