Lumberton ISD tax proposal fails

Dylan Busby dylan@silsbee-bee.com The Silsbee Bee LUMBERTON — Voters in Lumberton Independent School District rejected a proposed tax-rate increase during the Nov. 3 general election, delivering a setback to district officials as Hardin County remained overwhelmingly Republican despite major Democratic victories across Texas. Lumberton ISD’s voter-approval tax rate election (VATRE) failed by 490 votes, with 4,006 residents voting against Proposition A and 3,516 supporting it. The measure received 46.7% support, while 53.3% voted against it. All five precincts reported, with 7,522 votes cast in the election. The defeat means the district will not receive the additional property tax revenue sought through the proposition, leaving school leaders to evaluate other financial options. Lumberton ISD Superintendent Dr. John Mathews acknowledged the results in a statement released Nov. 4. “While we are disappointed in the outcome of the VATRE, we respect the decision of our community and appreciate everyone who participated in the election process,” Mathews said. “Our commitment to the students, staff, and families of Lumberton ISD remains unchanged.” Mathews said the district’s Board of Trustees will continue evaluating financial options while prioritizing student success and responsible management of district resources. “We are grateful for the continued support of our Raider community,” Mathews said. Kountze voters approve proposition, elect trustee Elsewhere in Hardin County, voters in Kountze approved the city’s Proposition A by a substantial margin. The measure passed with 330 votes, or 62.5%, in favor and 198 votes, or 37.5%, opposed. All votes were reported from the city’s single precinct. In the contested Kountze ISD Board of Trustees Place 7 race, Gene Bumstead defeated Dallas Colton by 745 votes. Bumstead received 1,256 votes, accounting for 71.1% of ballots cast, while Colton received 511 votes, or 28.9%. All four precincts reported in the school board election, with 1,767 votes cast. Other local elections in Hardin County were uncontested, leaving the school district proposition, city proposition and school board contest as the primary local races drawing voter attention. While Democrats secured major statewide victories, Hardin County voters continued their strong support for Republican candidates, producing margins that sharply contrasted with results across Texas. In the governor’s race, Republican incumbent Greg Abbott received 16,954 votes in Hardin County, capturing 81.7% of the vote. Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa received 3,517 votes, or 16.9%, while Libertarian Pat Dixon received 284 votes. Statewide, however, Hinojosa defeated Abbott, receiving approximately 52.8% of the vote compared with Abbott’s 45.7%. The victory made Hinojosa the first Democrat elected governor of Texas since Ann Richards in 1990. Republican Ken Paxton dominated Hardin County with 16,515 votes, or 79.8%, compared with Democrat James Talarico’s 3,683 votes, or 17.8%. Libertarian Ted Brown received 491 votes. Across Texas, Talarico defeated Paxton with approximately 55.1% of the vote, ending a Democratic drought in Texas U.S. Senate elections dating to 1988. Similar differences emerged in the lieutenant governor and attorney general contests. Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick received 16,980 Hardin County votes, or 82%, compared with 3,312 for Democrat Vikki Goodwin. Goodwin won statewide with approximately 51.7%. In the attorney general’s race, Republican Mayes Middleton captured 17,079 votes in Hardin County, or 82.5%, while Democrat Nathan Johnson received 3,279 votes, or 15.8%. Johnson won statewide with approximately 52.4%. Democrats also prevailed statewide in the races for comptroller, agriculture commissioner, land commissioner and railroad commissioner despite Republican candidates carrying Hardin County by substantial margins. In the 36th Congressional District, Republican incumbent Brian Babin defeated Democratic challenger Rhonda Hart. Hardin County’s election-night report showed Babin receiving 17,478 votes, or 84.4%, compared with Hart’s 3,240 votes, or 15.6%. Across the congressional district, the race was considerably closer. Babin won with 138,008 votes, or 53.6%, compared with Hart’s 119,681 votes, or 46.4%. Republican Trent Ashby also won the District 3 state Senate race, receiving 17,295 votes in Hardin County, or 84%, compared with Democrat Bobby Tillman’s 3,298 votes. Ashby won districtwide with 211,888 votes to Tillman’s 93,016. In Texas House District 18, Republican incumbent Janis Holt secured reelection. Hardin County voters gave Holt 17,042 votes, or 83.2%, compared with Democratic challenger Valorie Barton’s 3,441 votes. Districtwide, Holt won with 48,367 votes to Barton’s 18,635.