Partisan battles on the ballot helped spur local turnout for the Nov. 3 general election, but two Princeton races received strong interest from voters.

As a result, the Princeton City Council will have two new members, and a new trustee will join the board of the Princeton ISD.

Kaleb Breaux, Collin County Elections administrator, said turnout for both races neared 50%

Breaux said the city of Princeton had 21,051 voters eligible to take part in the council election and 10,099 ballots were cast for a turnout of 47.97%. In the school board race, 15,177 ballots were cast out of 30,899 eligible voters in the PISD, for a turnout of 49.12%, he said.

Results are unofficial until canvassed, but complete returns showed Sumbel “Susan” Zeb beat Ken Seligman for Place 6 on council and Charlotte Willson will join the school board with returning Trustee Starla Sharpe. 

According to Collin County Elections, Zeb received 3,735 votes, or 53.44%, to Seligman’s 3,254 votes, or 46.56%. 

Zeb received 37 ballots by mail, 2,949 votes in early balloting and 749 votes on Election Day. Seligman got 47 ballots by mail, 2,406 early votes and 801 votes on Election Day.

“I’m so excited about the potential of tomorrow,” Zeb said. “I cannot wait to work with everyone and to represent every resident of Princeton. We can do such beautiful things together.”

DeShawyna Walker was unopposed for Place 7 but waged a campaign to let voters know her views and plans. 

Walker received 4,610 votes — 59 by mail, 3,479 in early voting and 1,072 on Election Day, Collin County Elections reported.

“I look forward to getting to work,” Walker said. “If you have any questions, comments, concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me … I will hold office hours on Fridays … also, I will be block walking once a month in neighborhoods just to get out and to hear concerns.”

Councilmembers Ben Long and Carolyn David-Graves did not seek re-election to Places 6 and 7.

On the school board, Trustees Sharpe and Cyndi Darland filed for re-election and were opposed by Wilson and Ricky Gillespie. 

Wilson, a special education teacher, won the most votes, followed by Sharpe, and they will be seated without a referendum. Darland, who had served as board president, and Gillespie, a former trustee, ran third and fourth, respectively.

According to Collin County Elections, Wilson received 32.12% of the votes, Sharpe received 31.00%, Darland polled 23.86% and Gillespie received 13.03%.

The vote totals were 5,029 for Wilson, 4,853 for Sharpe, 3,735 for Darland and 2,040 for Gillespie.

“Thank you to everyone who believed in me, volunteered, help me achieve this victory and encouraged me along the way,” Wilson said. “We did it, Princeton! Now, let’s get to work.”

Sharpe said, “I am still overwhelmed with gratitude for all the love, prayers, encouragement, and support throughout this campaign! I truly couldn’t have done it without you!”

The PISD Board of Trustees meets Monday, Nov. 16, to canvass votes and the Princeton City Council has scheduled a Tuesday, Nov. 17, special meeting for the canvass.

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