The race for Murphy City Council is heating up as two incumbents now have challengers in the upcoming city elections.

Michael Padilla submitted his paperwork Tuesday, Feb. 8 to be on the May 7 ballot for City Council Place 6, currently held by councilmember Jene Butler. Additionally, Karan Chetal filed his paperwork Thursday, Feb. 10, for City Council Place 1, currently held by Elizabeth Abraham.

Padilla and Chetal joins Butler, Abraham, councilmembers Jennifer Berthiaume, Place 2, and Ken Oltmann, Place 4, all of whom previously filed their re-election paperwork.

Abraham, Butler and Oltmann were all elected in 2019. Berthiaume was first elected in 2016 and is seeking her third term.

The mayor and councilmembers are elected at-large in Murphy therefore they represent the entire city rather than districts and all registered voters cast a ballot for all seven places.

City elections will be held May 7 and the filing period to be considered on the ballot opened Jan. 19 and runs through Feb. 18.

Those interested in seeking office can pick up packets at the Murphy City Secretary’s office, located at City Hall, 206 North Murphy Road.

Along with city elections, Murphy residents, along with all Texans, will be asked to vote on two constitutional amendments, both concerning property taxes.
The first amendment, Proposition 1, would authorize the Texas Legislature to reduce limitations on the total amount of ad valorem taxes imposed for general elementary and secondary public schools for a person who is elderly or disabled if approved.

If passed, the second amendment, Proposition 2, would increase the homestead exemption from $25,000 to $40,000 for ad valorem taxation for public school purposes.

The last day to register to vote for the May election will be April 7. Early voting will begin April 25 and ends May 3. Times and locations for early voting have yet to be determined but residents can cast their ballot at any location in the county in which they are registered to vote.

Collin County residents can check their status at collincountytx.gov/elections.