League City's November election now has a contested mayoral race, with incumbent Nick Long facing a challenge from Council Member Tom Crews and the candidate filing window closing Monday, Aug. 17.
Long filed his application on July 20, the first day the window opened, according to his ballot application on file with the City Secretary's Office. Crews followed on Aug. 4, submitting his own application for mayor. Long lists his occupation as consultant; Crews is a CPA and 11-year League City resident, per his filing.
The two have clashed publicly on policy. At the June 9 council meeting, Crews argued the city's homelessness ordinance violated Christian duty by preventing churches and individuals from sheltering people on private property. Long responded that the ordinance already permits written-permission camping on private property and defended the city's investment in mental health officers and county shelter beds.
"The best way to deal with homelessness which is oftentimes, vast majority of the time, caused by mental illness or substance abuse, is to intercede," Long said at that June 9 meeting. "That's why we worked with the county to get these extra beds. That's why we've invested in mental health officers, with proper training to then get them to help."
Crews' seat triggers charter provision
Crews holds Council Position 3, with a term expiring in November 2028. Under the League City Charter, when a council member whose term exceeds two years files for a different office and the unexpired portion of that term exceeds one year, the filing constitutes an automatic resignation. Crews' term has more than two years remaining, so his mayoral filing triggered the provision, as we reported Aug. 5.
That means Position 3 is now vacant.
Seven candidates, five seats
The city's official elections page lists seven confirmed candidates as of Aug. 7:
Mayor: Nick Long (incumbent, filed July 20) and Tom Crews (filed Aug. 4)
Position 1: Robert Bruce, a paramedic (filed July 21), and Gordon Bethel (filed July 24). Bethel was appointed to the city's Zoning Board of Adjustment on June 9, six weeks before filing for council. The seat is currently held by Andy Mann, a 12-year council veteran who does not appear on the candidate list.
Position 2: Tommy Cones, the incumbent and a retired firefighter (filed July 20). As we reported Aug. 7, Gregory Van Etten also filed for this seat, though his name had not appeared on the city's official candidate list as of that date.
Position 6: Sean Doyle, a banker who has lived in League City about seven years (filed July 20). The seat is currently held by Chad Tressler.
Position 7: Sean Saunders, the incumbent Mayor Pro Tem and a captain/paramedic who has lived in the League City area for approximately 26 years (filed July 20).
How to file or track the race
The filing window closes Monday, Aug. 17 at 5 p.m. Candidates can file in person at the Office of the City Secretary, City Hall, 300 W. Walker St., or by email to [email protected].
Voter registration for the Nov. 3 election closes Monday, Oct. 5. Early voting runs Oct. 19–30, and Election Day polls are open 7 a.m.–7 p.m. If any race requires a runoff, it is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12.
