Claire Kowalick

Times Record News

Wichita Falls welcomed a new mayor Tuesday night with Stephen Santellana winning the race by a wide margin. Santellana beat out Tim Ingle for the position with 61 percent of the vote to Ingle’s 39 percent.

“My goal in this campaign was to get out in the town and make sure every person knew who I was and heard my message,” Santellana said Tuesday.

Santellana said as mayor he wants to be an ambassador for the city and is looking forward to working toward showcasing the city.

“As a councilor, you’re hyperfocused on your district. As mayor, I can broaden the scope and work for the city as a whole,” he said.

His first step will be connecting with the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce and enacting a strategic plan for business growth, focusing on the downtown area.

Santellana said former mayor Glenn Barham had to focus on the years-long drought for a large part of his term.

Now that water levels are stable, city council and staff can work on ways to bring new people and business to the area.

A recent population study shows millennials, people age 25-34, are the largest percentage of the population in Wichita Falls.

Santellana said he has big plans to light up downtown and make it a hot spot for the younger crowd. With thousands of Midwestern State University students, airmen at Sheppard Air Force Base, and other millennials in the city, opportunities are ripe to cater to this age bracket. Santellana said the recent council vote to approve ride-share franchises in the city is a huge opportunity to more easily bring people downtown.

Tim Ingle said with limited funds, his campaign tried to capitalize on timing and the way his message was presented. They used social media and television to define differences between himself and Santellana.

“We both love the city and both want the best for the city. In the end, the voters speak. They know what they like and do not like,” Ingle said.

Ingle’s term is at an end and newcomer Jesse Brown will take over his council seat. Ingle said he has high hopes for Brown and plans to sit down with him and discuss projects he has in the works.

Ingle said he enjoyed his time on the council and appreciated the collaboration between council and city staff.

Being on the council during the drought years was a very stressful and difficult time, and Ingle said he is looking forward to spending time with his family.

Former mayor Barham said after six and a half years in office, he is ready to pass the torch to Santellana. Barham said he and his wife are planning to do a great deal of traveling.

Santellana’s District 1 council position has one more year until the end of the term. The council will appoint someone to serve in the position until the next election period.