El Paso, Texas.- Renard Johnson and Brian Kennedy are leading the race for mayor of El Paso, after the first vote count took place on Tuesday, November 7. Johnson, a businessman and political newcomer, led with 48,311 votes, representing 35.55%. He was followed by Brian Kennedy, the current District 1 City Council member, with 34,667 votes or 25.51%.
Since no candidate reached 50% plus one of the vote, it is likely that a runoff will be held between the two main contenders.
Cassandra Hernández came in third with 12,693 votes or 9.34%, followed by Steven B. Winters (8.36%), Isabel Salcido (6.82%), Marco Antonio Contreras (5.37%), Elizabeth Cordova ( 5.08%) and Ben Mendoza (3.96%).
The vote also asks El Paso voters to cancel $128.45 million in general obligation bonds for a previously approved downtown performing arts and entertainment center.