Next Election — May 2026
Willow Park holds city council elections every May. As election details become available — candidate filings, voter registration deadlines, polling locations, and what's specifically on the ballot — WPCN will update this page. Check back closer to the election date.
Current Council — Who's Serving and When Terms Expire
Understanding who is currently on the council and how they got there helps you know what's at stake in upcoming elections. Only two members — Mayor Palmer and Councilmember Contreras — won their seats in a contested race. The other three council members were appointed, and Nathan Crummel, despite running in subsequent elections, has never faced a challenger. May 2026 gives voters a genuine opportunity to weigh in on three seats for the first time.
| 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 | Appointed September 2025 — has not faced voters | May 2026 |
| Place 4 | Scott Smith | Appointed August 2025 — has not faced voters | May 2026 |
| Place 5 | Nathan Crummel (Mayor Pro Tem) | Appointed 2020 · Has never had a challenger | May 2026 |
Places 3, 4, and 5 are all up for election in May 2026. Buddy Wright and Scott Smith were appointed and have never faced voters. Nathan Crummel was also originally appointed in 2020 and has never had a challenger in any election. May 2026 is the first opportunity for citizens to contest all three of these seats.
May 2026 Candidates
Three contested races are on the ballot. Each section shows the incumbent and their challenger side by side. Information is drawn from public records, campaign materials, and published news sources. All candidates are presented in the same format.
Operations Engineering Manager, Lockheed Martin. Former math teacher.
Resident for nearly 14 years. Parker County roots since 1985.
Infrastructure ahead of growth. Road improvements. Water and wastewater planning. Parks. Cooperative development.
Retired. Career in aerospace manufacturing at General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin — F-16 and F-35 programs. Former U.S. Navy jet engine mechanic.
Nearly 30 years in aerospace manufacturing, advancing from the shop floor to senior management roles in production and flight line operations.
Responsible development. Practical leadership and accountability.
Resident for approximately 10 years.
Served on the Planning & Zoning Commission, TIRZ Board, and CIP Commission prior to council appointment.
Retired Tarrant County Justice of the Peace (4 terms, 1990–2006). Martial arts instructor.
Served on Willow Park's Home Rule Charter Commission. Taught defensive tactics to law enforcement.
Proven leadership, careful growth, and open government.
Legal Contracts Administrator, Texas Pacific Land Corporation. Real Estate Agent, Heritage Real Estate.
On council since 2020. Currently serves as Mayor Pro Tem. Background in land, title, and contracts.
Legislative Director, State Rep. Mike Olcott. Retired from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.
Previously served on Willow Park City Council (2016–2017). Former Neighborhood Association Board Member and Park Committee Chair.
Has publicly supported road improvements and the city's home rule charter effort.
Candidate information is drawn from public filings, published news articles, and campaign materials available as of March 2026. All candidates are presented in the same format. If you are a candidate and would like to submit information, contact WPCN.
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.