Leander voters have made history. Na'Cole Thompson will be the city's next mayor after winning a special election last Saturday, becoming the first Black woman to lead the fast-growing suburb. Thompson, who has served on the City Council since 2021 and as mayor pro tem, secured a majority of ballots and will serve the remainder of the current term through May 2027, as Leander confronts traffic bottlenecks, park buildouts, and public safety staffing needs. She is scheduled to be sworn in on Feb. 27.
Election Results and Reaction
Unofficial tallies show Thompson received 3,372 votes, about 57%, while Mike Sanders took 1,531 votes, or 26%, and Kathryn Pantalion-Parker received 1,001 votes, or 17%, according to Community Impact. Thompson told the outlet, "I told everybody this win is for all of us," thanking voters from across the city for their support.
How the Vacancy Opened and What Is Next
The mayor's seat opened after Christine DeLisle resigned in October, prompting the city to schedule a Feb. 7 special election. The City of Leander posted unofficial vote tallies and plans to canvass returns on Feb. 17, according to the City of Leander. The winner will serve through May 2027 and will formally assume the duties Thompson has already been handling as mayor pro tem since DeLisle's departure.
Thompson's Background and Priorities
Thompson, 48, is a retired banker and small business owner who co-owns a beauty supply store with her husband, and she was first elected to the council in 2021. As reported by the Austin American-Statesman, she launched a quarterly "Let's Talk" program to connect residents with council members and staff. She has said she will continue to push for better east-west mobility and project work along Hero Way and Crystal Falls Parkway, while making sure public safety staffing keeps up as the city grows. The Austin American-Statesman also notes that Thompson will fill the remainder of the unexpired term created by DeLisle's resignation.
Why Leander's Growth Matters
The U.S. Census Bureau's QuickFacts lists Leander's estimated population at about 87,511 as of July 1, 2024, underscoring rapid growth that has strained roads, parks, and municipal services. Those trends form the backdrop to Thompson's agenda as city leaders weigh transportation and water system projects to keep pace with the influx of new residents, per census data.
Officials will formally canvass the Feb. 7 returns on Feb. 17, according to the City of Leander, and Thompson is expected to be sworn in on Feb. 27 to finish the term, according to the Austin American-Statesman. Once she takes office, she will resign her Place 4 council seat, and the council will move to fill that vacancy.
