Former Humble Independent School District Trustee Ken Kirchhofer was appointed to his previously held seat after the May 3 election winner was ruled ineligible due to a residency violation.
Kirchhofer previously finished third in a three-way race to retain his Position 4 seat on May 3, with Brittnai Brown coming in first. He received 3,197 votes, while Brown received 4,066 votes and Tracy Shannon received 3,237 votes.
However, first-place finisher Brown’s voter registration update to an address within Humble ISD became effective on March 16, 2025—after the February filing deadline—rendering her ineligible under Texas’ 30-day residency requirement.
Shannon challenged Brown’s eligibility and the outcome of the race, forcing the board to void the results and seek a replacement.
The board, in accordance with Texas law and district policy, had the option to call a special election to fill the vacancy or make an appointment.
At the June 17 special meeting, trustees unanimously selected Kirchhofer, who had remained in the position pending a resolution of the issue.
Kirchhofer abstained from the vote.
According to the board, Kirchhofer has pledged not to run for re-election in 2027.
“He promised not to run again as a compromise,” Shannon told Texas Scorecard. “I don’t think that is an enforceable promise.”
“It is disappointing, not just for me personally, because I wanted to pursue that seat, and I ran to introduce some accountability, transparency, and to be a voice for teachers and parents who feel unheard in our district,” said Shannon. “There was a clear call for accountability in this election. Ken Kerchhofer lost to me and the ineligible Democrat.”
At the very least, I expected the board to accept applications, conduct interviews, and receive public input before appointing if they did not opt for a special election, giving the decision back to the voters who were robbed of their voice by the ineligible Democrat, Brittnai Brown.
Shannon also expressed frustration with the board’s direction.
“I am disappointed but not surprised by this blatant act of indifference by the board,” she said. “We were treated to a sermon by the new board president, Marques Holmes, last week informing us of all of the accountability and transparency we can look forward to. It appears to me it will be business as usual at Humble ISD.”
Kirchhofer will serve in Position 4 for the remainder of the term.
