Councilman Todd Kana was elected mayor, edging out opponent Connie Barrett 158 to 106 with 59.8 percent of the votes.

“I’m happy, I’m the glad the people chose me and the supporters got out to vote,” Kana said. “I thought early voting had a really good turnout with the numbers. I kind of expected to have a big turnout on Election Day, but it turns out most people voted early. Overall, I wasn’t too disappointed with the turnout.”

Kana said he feels that voter’s choosing him to be mayor shows their faith in his leadership.“I believe I’ve been somewhat balanced as a council member,” he said. “I’ve been on different sides of issues with all council members and I’ve thought independently.”

He cited the city’s general fund deficit as being on the top of the agenda once he takes office.

“It’s going to be hard, but I’d like to see the deficit eliminated in my first term,” he said. “I don’t know if that’s feasible, but it’s good to set the bar high. I’d also like to work on building up some reserves.”

Barrett said she was disappointed in the voter turnout but was appreciative of all the support she received from the citizens that voted for her.

“I’m humbled by their gratitude,” she said. “I congratulate Todd Kana on winning the mayor’s race and will support him fully as long as he is doing the honest and right thing.”

She added that she plans to run again for a council position.

“I’m not through. I’ll be right there when the next council seats are up for re-election,” she said.

Position 4 incumbent Jody Sanders narrowly beat former council member Dave Sutherland, who challenged Sanders for his old seat. Sanders won by only 10 votes.

“I’m just blessed to win and be on council for two years,” Sanders said. “I wish we would have had a bigger turnout, but as is, I’m just thankful I did win out and I’m going to do my best to follow my platform of honesty and integrity and what’s best for the city of Magnolia.”

Sanders added that he is focused on the city’s budget and making sure city departments run smoothly.

Sutherland said he was disappointed after his close defeat.

“I just hope that the candidates that were elected make us proud. I hope the candidates do right by the citizens of Magnolia and reduce the deficit,” he said. “Seven hundred people approximately did not vote. That part is very disappointing. It’s not like there hasn’t been enough coverage about what’s going on.”

In the Position 5 council seat race, incumbent and longtime council member Patsy Williams defeated newcomer Chris Myer 146 to 120 with 54.9 percent of the vote.

“I’m real excited about the future, there’s so many things that I want to get done and that all of us do,” Williams said. “I’m humbled by the election. I know that I’m going to work hard for everyone. I think the public, the citizens of Magnolia, once again have shown their due diligence and they pay attention. They made their decision.”

Williams said her goals for the next two years on council include working with TxDOT on the FM 1774 road expansion and encouraging economic development.

Myer said he was disappointed after his loss.

“It’s understandable,” he said. “My opponent has been there for 18 years. She’s a tough person to beat.

“I’d like to thank my supporters and the people who did come out to vote for me and congratulate Patsy and Jody and Todd for their win.”

Kana’s mayoral win leaves his Position 3 council seat vacant.

Following the May 12 council meeting, Kana said the council will decide how to fill the vacant seat at a May 17 meeting when he and the other council winners will be sworn in for two-year terms.

Out of 903 registered voters in Magnolia, only 274 filed a ballot, according to election results on Montgomery County’s website. However, that number represents a 30 percent voter turnout, which is high compared to other municipalities, including Conroe, which only saw an 11 percent turnout in its election. In Willis, less than 2 percent of registered voters filed a ballot while in The Woodlands Township election, less than 9 percent of registered voters turned out.

The largest voter turnouts in Montgomery County municipal elections were in the Montgomery and Shenandoah council and mayor races, which were 36.89 percent and 36.58 percent, respectfully.

In the lone Magnolia ISD contested race, incumbent Cecil Bell, Jr. easily defeated challenger Rick Baldwin in the Position 3 Trustee race with 74 percent of the vote.

Position 1 incumbent Steve Crews and Position 2 incumbent Deborah Rose Miller were both re-elected after running unopposed.

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