A 48-year Balcones Heights resident, Councilmember Jack Burton previously served on the planning and zoning commission, followed by a six-year stint as a council member. Voters returned Burton to the council in 2024.

Burton’s opponent, Vanessa Martin, is a digital creator and a wedding officiant. Martin is advocating for public safety, affordable housing, economic development, and providing a voice for all residents, as well as animal welfare.

9 competing in contested elections in Balcones Heights, Castle Hills, Leon Valley

Balcones Heights

Mayor Johnny Rodriguez is running unopposed. He is seeking a second straight term in his second stint as the town’s top elected leader. Place 1 incumbent Jack Burton is being challenged by Vanessa Martin, an ordained minister. Place 2 Councilmember David Sellars declined to seek a second straight term. He will be replaced by either Juan Lecea, a former council member, or Kip Torres, a current city planning and zoning commissioner.

See who is running for a council or school board seat on May 2

Vanessa is a digital creator, wedding officiant, and ordained minister.

9 competing in contested elections in Balcones Heights, Castle Hills ...

Vanessa Martin is a digital creator, wedding officiant, and ordained minister.

2026 Texas General Election

Burton’s opponent, Vanessa Martin, is a digital creator and a wedding officiant. Martin is advocating for public safety, affordable housing, economic development, and providing a voice for all residents, as well as animal welfare.

Economy

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

As of September 24, 2026, Vanessa Martin did not have a website or any information online.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Vanessa Martin

As of September 24, 2026, Vanessa Martin’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Facebook

For Council, Place No. 1 City of Balcones Heights, Texas
Vote For 1
TOTAL VOTE % Election
Day
Absentee Early
Voting
Jack Burton 74 65.49% 20 5 49
Vanessa Martin 39 34.51% 12 0 27
Total Votes Cast 113 100.00% 32 5 76
Overvotes 0 0 0
Undervotes 3 0 0 3

May-2-2026-Joint-General-Special-and-Bond-Election-Summary-PDF

Vanessa previously ran for Balcones Heights City Council, Place No. 1, in 2026 but did not win.

Vanessa works as a digital creator and wedding officiant.

Here is who is running for a council or school board seat on May 2

Vanessa Martin works as a digital creator and wedding officiant and is an ordained minister.

For Council, Place No. 1 City of Balcones Heights, Texas
Vote For 1
TOTAL VOTE % Election
Day
Absentee Early
Voting
Jack Burton 74 65.49% 20 5 49
Vanessa Martin 39 34.51% 12 0 27
Total Votes Cast 113 100.00% 32 5 76

May 2, 2026 Joint General, Special and Bond Election Summary

Vanessa previously ran for City Council Member, Position 1 in Balcones Heights but did not win.

See who is running for a council or school-board seat on May 2

Vanessa Martin works as a digital creator and wedding officiant. She is an ordained minister.

Vanessa is a digital creator and wedding officiant. She is also an ordained minister.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Jack Burton

- City council members collaborate to create and enforce city policies, including legislation on essential services like police, fire, parks, libraries, and utilities.
- They work alongside the mayor to manage city departments, including transportation and parks and recreation.
- Council members can be elected to represent specific districts or the entire city at-large.
- The structure of city councils, including the number of members, their terms, term limits, and partisanship, differs by county.

Passes laws and regulations for your city.