By LYNETTE SOWELL-STEVENS
Cove Leader-Press
There are but a few more days left to submit an application for the ballot for the Nov. 3 Copperas Cove city council and Copperas Cove ISD board of trustees elections.
The application period closes at 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17.
For the CCISD board of trustees, Places 5, 6, and 7 are up for election.
James Ortiz, a retired educator, will be on the ballot for Place 5 on the board of trustees.
Inez Faison, a 17-year veteran of the Copperas Cove ISD board of trustees, is running for Place 6. Faison served in Place 1 from 2007 until 2024.
James “JC” Stubbs, financial advisor, has filed to run for Place 7.
Place 5 is currently held by appointee Mike Wilburn and Place 7 is currently held by Jeff Gorres.
As of Aug. 13, all three candidates remained unopposed.
If any of the three races remain unopposed, that individual will be considered elected by default in November.
Over on the Copperas Cove city council, Places 6 and 7 are up for election in November
Current Place 6 and 7 councilmembers, Vonya Hart and Jack Smith, are term limited and cannot run.
So far, there are a total of five candidates for the three open positions.
Jay Manning, property developer, has filed to run for Place 6. Manning served on the city council from 2016-2022. Jesus Mendez Jr., who has lived in Copperas Cove for 33 years, has filed to run for Place 6 as well.
There is a three-way race for Place 7. Dana Wall and William Smith filed to run for Place 7. Then on Tuesday evening, it was announced by the City of Copperas Cove that Trae Cunningham will also be on the ballot for Place 7.
Candidate packets are available on the City website and at the City Secretary’s Office. The physical and mailing address for filing an application is: Copperas Cove City Hall; Attn: Lisa Wilson; P.O. Drawer 1449 or 914 S. Main Street, Suite D; Copperas Cove, TX 76522.
Election information may be found on the City website at https://www.copperascovetx.gov/188/Election-Information.
Questions should be directed to City Secretary Lisa Wilson at lwilson@copperascovetx.gov or (254) 547-4221 x6237.
Candidates can pick up/file an Application for a Place on the Copperas Cove ISD Election Ballot at: Copperas Cove ISD Administration Building, 408 S. Main St. Printable applications can also be found and downloaded at https://www.ccisd.com/page/election-2026.
For additional information, contact Monica Hall, CCISD Elections Officer, (254) 547-1227, or email hallm@ccisd.com.
The last day to register to vote in the November election is Oct. 5, 2026.
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