Two new faces are expected to join the Murphy City Council following the general election Saturday, May 2.

Complete, unofficial returns from Collin County Elections showed Place 3 Councilmember Andrew Chase was outpolled by challenger Debbie Ison, 64.33% to 35.67%, and Place 5 Councilmember Laura Deel received 34.33% of the ballots to 60.47% for Kevin Kelley. 

Results will not be official until canvassed by the City Council in a special meeting on Tuesday, May 12. 

City Secretary Kandi Jackson said new council members would be sworn in at the regular Tuesday, May 19, meeting.

In all, 2,478 Murphy voters cast ballots out of 14,851 eligible registered voters — for a turnout of 16.69%, said Kaleb Breaux, Collin County Elections administrator.

Mayor Scott Bradley had no opposition and the unofficial results show Murphy voters reauthorized using part of the city’s sales tax receipts for street repair, 77.16% to 22.84%.

In the Place 3 council race, Colin County Elections reported Ison received 1,580 votes to Chase’s 876. 

Early voting and ballot by mail accounted for more votes than cast on Election Day, with Chase getting 529 votes by mail and early voting and 347 on Election Day.

Ison received 974 ballots before Election Day and 606 on May 2, results showed.

“Thank you all for your support!!” Ison said in a social media post after early results were released.

For Place 5, Kelley polled 575 on Election Day and 915 by mail and during early balloting — for a total of 1,490.

Kelley said he was grateful for the incredible support from the community. 

“This election saw a record turnout for a local race, and that speaks volumes about how engaged and invested our residents are in the future of our city,” he said. “I want to thank everyone who took the time to vote, volunteer and have meaningful conversations throughout this process.”

Kelley also acknowledged Deel’s service to the community and her time on the council. 

“I’m honored by the trust that’s been placed in me, and I look forward to getting to work, listening to our residents and serving with transparency, accountability and dedication,” he said.

Deel received 325 votes on Election Day and 521 by mail and in early voting for 846 in all.

Former Councilmember Sarah Fincanon received 63 votes, or 2.56% of the total cast, while Manoj Varghese received 65 votes or 2.64% of the total. 

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