The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Dave Rogers / For the Record

Troy Pierce, a 40-year Pinehurst resident, says it’s time for him to step up. So he’s running for mayor.

Pierce, 55, is among the latest to file for a spot on the ballot in the May 2 local election.

“I feel a sense of duty,” he said. “I think it’s time to look at somebody that hasn’t been here [in city government]. It’s time for new blood.”

Pinehurst has not held an election in the past two years because no race drew more than one candidate, mostly incumbents.

Pierce joins current mayor Dan Mohon on the ballot for mayor. Mohon, 80, Orange’s mayor three decades ago, has been a Pinehurst alderman since 2010 and replaced a retiring R.L. “Pete” Runnels as Pinehurst mayor in October.

Also registering for a ballot position in Pinehurst is former Lamar State College Orange president Michael Shahan. He was appointed to take Mohon’s place as alderman.

Other candidates in the Pinehurst election will be incumbent Cynthia Adams and Janet Renee Batt.

Pierce works as an instrumentation and electronics technician at the City of Beaumont water plant and plans to do all he can to make sure the Pinehurst infrastructure is up to date.

“I know they [current council members] have more experience than I do, but I promise you no one has as much desire as I do.”

The deadline for registering to run is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14. It is not uncommon for some candidates, especially incumbents, to wait until the deadline day to file.

The list of seats up for election and candidates who have filed:

CITIES

Orange – 2 3-year seats up for election

Candidates registered: Terrie Salter (I) for District 3; Paul Burch (I) for Place 6 at-large.

Bridge City – 4 2-year seats

Candidates registered: David Rutledge (I) for Mayor; Mike Reed (I) for Place 2; Danny Harrington (I) for Place 4: Lucy Fields (I) for Place 6.

West Orange – 3 2-year at-large aldermen

Candidates registered: Shirley Bonnin (I); Mike Shugart (I); Dale Dardeau (I).

Pinehurst – Mayor and 2 2-year aldermen-at-large

Candidates registered: Dan Mohon (I), Troy Pierce for mayor; Janet Renee Batt for 2-year alderman.

Special election – 1 1-year unexpired alderman term

Candidates registered: Dr. Michael Shahan.

SCHOOLS

West Orange-Cove

2 3-year at-large seats

Candidates registered: Tommy Wilson Sr. (I).

Bridge City ISD

2 3-year terms

Candidates registered: Mike Johnson (I) for Place 6; Mark Anderson (I) for Place 7; Cory L. Mitchell for Place 7

LCMCISD

3 3-year terms

Candidates registered: Randy McIlwain (I) for Place 1; Josh Fisher (I) for Place 2; Marlene Courmier (I) for Place 3.

I--incumbent