’25 Election Correction: Contested race ahead for WOISD

We apologize – the Gladewater Mirror was mistaken on an essential piece of information tied to White Oak ISD’s Spring 2025 election, and we’re late to announce there is, in fact, one contested race on the May 3 ballot.
The Mirror previously reported two candidates had filed for separate seats on the school. We missed a final filing Feb. 14.
As noted in prior articles, incumbent Jessica Hughes is unchallenged in her bid for re-election to another three-year term in Place 2, and Dr. David Ummel filed for the Place 1 seat currently held by WOISD Board Vice President David Carr, who is not seeking re-election.
“We did have one file right there at the end,” White Oak ISD Superintendent Jack Parker confirmed last week.
Local Casey Stewart registered his challenge for WOISD Place 1 on Friday, Feb. 14, prior to the filing deadline for the Spring ’25 contest.
Consequently, on March 17 the district’s current trustees approved the various necessities to conduct a local election May 3 (early voting begins April 22) in conjunction with Kilgore College.
In addition to WOISD’s contested race between Stewart and Ummel as well as Hughes’ unchallenged bid, White Oak voters can also choose between Jason Steele or Larry A. Woodfin as the candidates contend for KC’s North Zone Place 8 spot.
There were no contest races filed for White Oak City Council, which subsequently canceled participating in May polling.