After two terms on the Kerrville City Council, Kim Clarkson said she would not seek a third and final run for Place 2. As the Kerrville City Council met Tuesday morning, at least one person seeking to replace her was pulling papers.
“Having been entrusted to make decisions on behalf of the citizens of Kerrville for the past four years has been a great honor,” Clarkson said in a statement. “I am proud to be a member of councils who has prioritized the safety and welfare of our citizens while also seeking opportunities to protect and enhance the quality of life we enjoy. My decision-making has always been based on moving the city forward through the thoughtful implementation of Kerrville’s citizen-led 2050 comprehensive plan.”
Clarkson’s decision not to run is not unsurprising, considering her battles with fellow Councilmember Roman Garcia over the last year, but it sets up a succession fight for the seat. Pulling papers on Tuesday was South Star Bank Vice President Jeff Harris, currently a member of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.
Harris, a former Marine, is involved in many civic activities, including helping organize a recent Veterans Day Parade through Louise Hays Park.
The other position up for re-election is Place 1, currently held by Garcia, and it’s unclear if he will face a challenge. Garcia won a hard-fought 2021 election against former City Councilmember Mary Ellen Summerlin after losing a 2020 bid against Judy Eychner.
Clarkson’s chief contributions to the Council are frequently around real estate transactions. A title officer and former school teacher, Clarkson is an expert on deeds, titles and other real estate issues, which is a frequent issue tackled by the Council.
However, she’s shown limited patience for Garcia’s lengthening of meetings through procedural moves and nitpicking of the agenda. The two tangled during the Jan. 10 meeting when Clarkson objected to Garcia’s speaking time.
