The Squad swept out of office by newcomers

Nov. 5—Election 2024 is over locally after a bitter and divisive campaign that featured big money backing the losers in city related races and even bringing in paid out of town poll workers.

Odessa attorney Cal Hendrick is a newcomer to politics but that didn't stop him from soundly defeating incumbent Mayor Javier Joven 19,259 to 9,676. Hendrick seized the lead in early voting 14,736 to 6,816.

Hendrick on Tuesday said Odessans saw through the lies, misdirection and propaganda. "Voters said this is not how we want our city run...I agree and we have to do a better job for the people."

He said he wants to sit down and identify the problems in Odessa and what is the most pressing and start there. He said going problem by problem is the only way to get Odessa back on track.

"It's refreshing our vision was confirmed by voters...it speaks volumes that voters want what is best for the city and want the people who care the most."

Joven in a comment to the Texas Tribune said he would pray for the winners and thanked Odessa "for the honor of serving the last four years."

Like the mayor's race, the city-wide at large seat saw Meals on Wheels Executive Director Craig Stoker defeat incumbent Denise Swanner 15,375 to 12,157. In early voting Stoker took 11,621 to Swanner's 8,860.

Stoker, an openly gay man, faced attacks from Swanner and her supporters. He ran on improving Odessa's infrastructure.

"Throughout this campaign I have been focused on identifying the problems Odessans face and working to find solutions," Stoker said. "The common theme with all the stories I heard was poor leadership. Tonight the votes were tallied and the voices of Odessans were heard. The resounding message is that it is time to get to work. It is time to hire a city manager who has the proper background, education and experience. It's time to get to work fixing the infrastructure of our city. It's time to properly staff and pay departments through the city. It's time to invest in our city with new parks and resources. It's time to rid city hall of the friends and buddies who were installed as "yes men." Basically, it's time to get to work FOR the City of Odessa and our future and quit blaming the past."

Stoker, like Hendrick, said voters saw through the lies, defaming statements and the noise. "Voters picked the candidate who put in the work and earned their votes, not the candidate who hired help and demanded loyalty. Respect is earned, and I will spend the next four years working every single day to not only earn your respect, but to keep it."

He said the win was only possible because of a lot of hard work "by a lot of folks, and I am grateful to each and every one of them. I could not have done this without the new network of people that came together around me. Here's to the next four years, may they be as joyful as tonight and may Odessa continue to be a place of kindness and compassion. I am humbled at your support and I look most forward to being at your service."

In District 2, incumbent Steve Thompson defeated Nayely Urias 3,785 to 2,821. In early voting Thompson took the lead with 3,165 to 2,094.

District 1's incumbent Mark Matta lost to barbecue master Eddie Mitchell 2,921 to 1,804. In early voting Mitchell was leading 2,253 to 1,282.

Mitchell ran on sprucing up the city's southside and said Matta had ignored the southside district the last four years.

Mitchell thanked the voters of Odessa and also GOP Precinct Chair Ronnie Lewis, Hendrick and Stoker for having confidence in him. "But really, I thank the voters of Odessa who got me in and who wanted a change...it won't be a one night deal to fix things. Odessa needs change."

He said he wants to focus on recently disclosed "golden parachute" contracts for some staffers and he wants to help "get city hall straight."

City council and mayor positions are mostly unpaid with about $10 a meeting going to members.

That didn't stop big money from rolling in to support Joven, Swanner and Matta. More than $230,000 was poured into their campaigns and into PACs supporting them by the Odessa Saulsbury family.

Hired out of town workers came in to work the polls supporting the three with some reporting harassment from the workers and that the workers were trying to mislead voters.

The Ector County Hospital District Prop A failed 19,767 to 19,890.

Odessa College's bond prop failed 19,137 to 20,542.