May 2026 Election Results
Willow Park holds city council elections every May. The May 2, 2026 election featured three contested races for Places 3, 4, and 5. All three incumbents were re-elected.
Source: Parker County Elections, May 2, 2026. These are unofficial election night results. Official canvass follows in the days after the election.
Current Council — Terms & Status
| Seat | Current Member | How They Got Here | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Teresa Palmer | Elected May 2025 — contested race | May 2027 |
| Place 1 | Eric Contreras | Elected May 2025 — contested race · On council since 2019 | May 2027 |
| Place 2 | Chawn Gilliland | Ran unopposed May 2025 · On council since 2022 | May 2027 |
| Place 3 | Buddy Wright | Elected May 2026 (previously appointed Sept 2025) | May 2028 |
| Place 4 | Scott Smith | Elected May 2026 (previously appointed Aug 2025) | May 2028 |
| Place 5 | Nathan Crummel (Mayor Pro Tem) | Elected Re-elected May 2026 (first elected 2020 unopposed) | May 2028 |
How Willow Park city elections work
Willow Park city council elections are nonpartisan — candidates do not run under a party label. They are held every May using a place system: candidates run for a specific numbered place, not against each other in a general pool. Every registered voter in Willow Park can vote for every open place on the ballot.
The election calendar
Who can vote and who can run
Be a registered voter in Texas. You must register at least 30 days before the election. Register at votetexas.gov or through the Parker County Elections office.
Be a resident of Willow Park. Your registered address must be within the city limits.
Be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and not disqualified by felony conviction or mental incapacity.
Be a registered voter in Willow Park and a resident of the city.
File an application with the City Secretary during the filing period. No prior political experience required.
Not be disqualified by any Texas law provision governing municipal office eligibility.
There is no filing fee for Willow Park city council candidates. Contact the City Secretary's office at 817-441-7108 for the current application requirements.
Why local elections matter more than you think
In the 2025 Willow Park mayoral election, Teresa Palmer defeated an eight-year incumbent with 64% of the vote. That election — held on a Tuesday in May — determined who presides over every city council meeting, who shapes the city's agenda, and the direction of Willow Park's growth for years to come. Turnout in local elections is typically a fraction of state or federal elections.
When only a few hundred people vote in a local election, organized groups of even 50–100 motivated citizens can determine the outcome. That's the flip side of low turnout — it amplifies the power of every vote cast. Showing up to a local election when most people don't is one of the highest-leverage civic actions available to you.