New Braunfels voters are getting a sequel. Michael French and Mayor Neal Linnartz are headed to a runoff after the city’s May 2 election produced no majority winner. Unofficial tabulations put French in first place and Linnartz in second, with two other challengers splitting the remaining votes. The one-on-one contest will decide who leads the city through a stretch of fast growth and growing concern over long-term water supplies.
The City of New Braunfels posted election-night material and links to county tallies, while Comal County showed the night’s counts in its online results viewer. Journalists and voters refreshed those feeds as precincts reported in.
According to Community Impact, French received 2,313 votes (47.25%) and Linnartz pulled 2,011 votes (41.08%). Angela Allen finished third with 498 votes (10.17%), and Jonathon Frazier received 73 ballots (1.49%). Frazier had publicly endorsed Linnartz before Election Day but remained on the ballot after the withdrawal deadline, the outlet reported. Because no candidate cleared 50%, the top two advance to a runoff under city charter rules outlined on Municode.
Runoff Set For June 13; Early Voting June 1-9
The Texas Secretary of State has designated Saturday, June 13, 2026, as the uniform runoff date for contests held on May 2, with early voting for runoffs scheduled from June 1 through June 9, per the Secretary’s proclamation posted by Comal County. That gives the two campaigns roughly six weeks to make their case before the head-to-head vote. Counties are expected to post official polling locations and detailed schedules in the coming days.
What The Candidates Campaigned On
Growth, water and public safety defined the race from the start. In a candidate Q&A, French warned that “unrelenting growth” and a looming water deficit call for tighter limits on development, while Linnartz emphasized managing growth, keeping taxes low and funding police and fire services. Angela Allen, who finished third, also centered her message on aquifer protections and infrastructure readiness, according to candidate profiles in Community Impact.
What’s Next For Campaigns
Both campaigns are pivoting straight into turnout mode, with a short runway to persuade voters before June 13. Local coverage noted that French held an early lead on election night, and observers say neighborhood outreach and targeted endorsements could be decisive in what is expected to be a lower-turnout runoff. Voters are encouraged to watch county election pages for the official canvass and final certified totals.
