Friendswood council certifies May 2 election results, swears in Branson and Hail

The Friendswood City Council on May 12 certified the May 2, 2026 general election results, approved an ordinance declaring the outcome and swore in Sally Branson and Randy Hail as council members.

City Secretary [name not specified] delivered the sealed precinct returns and read the tabulated totals: 368 absentee votes, 7,605 early votes, 2,430 election-day votes, one provisional ballot not accepted, 32,151 registered voters and 5,182 total votes, a turnout of 16.12 percent. For Position 2, Sally Branson received 2,967 votes (57.26 percent) and Shauna Talton received 2,215 votes (42.74 percent). For Position 5, Randy Hail received 2,649 votes (50.74 percent) and Joe Matranga received 2,572 votes (49.26 percent).

The council then considered an ordinance declaring the results. A council member moved and another seconded; the mayor pro tem called the question and announced the ordinance "passes unanimously." The minutes record the motion and unanimous approval but do not identify the mover or seconder by name.

Judge Barfield administered the oath of office to Sally Branson, council member, Position 2, and Randy Hail, council member, Position 5. After being sworn, Hail thanked his wife, Kathy, acknowledged his opponent and colleagues and said, "I'm excited, feel privileged to serve this city." Branson and Hail were welcomed to the dais; the mayor pro tem adjourned the meeting and invited attendees to a reception in the foyer.

The council delivered the election returns and related records to the city secretary for preservation under the city's record-retention rules. No public comments were submitted for the meeting. The session concluded at about 5:08 p.m.