Four File for Mayor in Schulenburg; City Council Rematch in La Grange

A four-way race for mayor has taken shape in Schulenburg. Incumbent mayor Elaine Kocian and former mayor Connie Koopmann both filed to run for election this week along with Robert “Armen” Herzik. They join local cattleman Jake Berger, who filed for a spot on the ballot earlier this month. Kocian has been mayor since 2018. She succeeded her husband Otto Kocian, who died in office in March of that year. The Council appointed her mayor after her husband’s passing. Koopmann previously served as an alderman and later as Mayor of Schulenburg from 1997 to 2001.

Three seats on the Schulenburg City Council are also up for election. The following candidates have filed so far:

• Place 1 – Greg “Wolf ” Thomas (incumbent)

• Place 2 – Frank “Butch” Wick III and Tina Bohlmann

• Place 3* – Scott Stoner and Douglas Behlen *The Place 3 election is for a one-year unexpired term that was left vacant by the death of Councilman Howard Stoner earlier this year.

At least one seat on the La Grange City Council will head to an election this year. Former Councilman Chris Jernigan filed to run against his old opponent, incumbent Arthur Bosque, for Ward 4 on the Council.

Bosque beat Jernigan by one vote in a special election last year. The special election was held to fill an unexpired term after former Councilman Pat Janca moved out of the City and resigned.

At the time, Jernigan held the seat by appointment. The vote was so close, 51-50, that Jernigan requested a recount. The recount confirmed Bosque’s win. Now the two will face each other again.

City Secretary Janet Bayer reported at the Council meeting Monday night that the other spots up for election remain unopposed so far:

• Mayor – Jan Dockery (incumbent)

• Ward 1 – Katie Gross (incumbent) • Ward 2 – Ken Taylor

• Ward 3 – Bonnie Busch (incumbent)

• Ward 4 – Arthur Bosque (incumbent) and Chris Jernigan The filing deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17.