GROVES, Texas — 12News is your election headquarters and we're highlighting the race for the Groves Ward 4 City Council seat.
Incumbent Rhonda Dugas is fighting to keep her seat from challengers Rae Shauna Gay and Kyle Hollier.
12News was able to speak with Dugas and Gay. We reached out to Hollier multiple times, but he refused to speak.
Incumbent Dugas is fighting for a third term serving in the Ward 4 council seat. While Gay is a newcomer who believes her strong ties in the community makes her the best fit for the job.
All three candidates are hoping voters will elect them to represent Ward 4 on the Groves City Council.
"I believe that they should re-elect me because I am true and honest with them," said Dugas.
For almost four years Gay has owned a small beauty business. She believes the city could use fresh faces.
"I am bringing some fresh ideas to the city and I feel like there needs to be some change here," said Gay.
Gay believes her long list of accomplishments and community mindset will help her stand out at the polls.
"I host quarterly events at my shop trying to collaborate some businesses together. I've won small business of the year, I'm on senior citizens board," Gay said.
Dugas says her 50 years working in accounting and book keeping gives her an upper hand.
"Studying with the IRS rules and laws and regulation really prepared me very well for understanding different government ways of doing things and their financial systems," Dugas said.
She says if re-elected she plans to bring new solutions about costly utility upgrades and freedom of speech at council meetings.
"We need to get the waste treatment plan fixed without putting our grandchildren and great grandchildren in debt. I want them to be able to come to city council under citizen comment and say what they want," said Dugas.
Gay says her main focus will be more support for small businesses.
"We want small business to come here and want to stay here it's really not the case right now," Gay said.
The Groves Activity Center is only early voting location in the city. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, October 25.