Killeen council accepts election canvass and swears in mayor and council members

The Killeen City Council unanimously accepted the canvass of the May 2, 2026 elections and administered oaths of office to the newly elected mayor and council members at a May 12 special meeting.

During the meeting the council considered ordinance O 26-009 (recorded in the meeting materials as Ordinance 2026-024), which formalized the canvass of election returns. The clerk reported that 4,760 voters cast ballots in the elections. The readout included mayoral totals showing Joseph Solomon with 1,861 votes; the clerk stated the canvass established the apparent winners "subject to the taking of their oath." A motion to accept the canvass "as presented" was made, seconded and carried by unanimous hand-raise vote.

Dr. Sue Nissi Croft, speaking during the public-comment period, congratulated the newly elected officials and urged the council to honor campaign promises and maintain transparency, saying, "these seats do not belong to the individuals; they belong to the people of Killeen." Her remarks emphasized continued civic engagement after the election.

Following acceptance of the canvass, Judge Blackburn presented certificates of election and administered the oaths of office. Joseph Solomon was sworn in as mayor; Debbie Nash King, Melissa Brown and Beverly Anne Williams were sworn in as council members at large; David Ernest Bass was sworn in as District 3 council member; and Charles Frederick Kimell was sworn in as District 2 council member. Each official repeated the statutory oath to "preserve, protect and defend" the United States and Texas constitutions and completed the required statement of officer.

Judge Blackburn also spoke briefly about the symbolic role of service and presented challenge coins to the newly sworn officials as a token of unity. The council then read its standards of conduct aloud, covering principles such as honor, equality, conflict-of-interest avoidance, confidentiality and civility, and asked members to sign the document.

Mayor Solomon used his remarks to pledge to serve all residents with humility and unity and invited community engagement. Several council members offered brief remarks of thanks to family, community groups and staff.

The council’s next regular meeting was referenced for May 19, when members said they would resume normal business and committee work.