Realtors group backs Fillault, McMullan, Snyder for The Woodlands board

John McMullan, vice chairman of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors, is seen during a meeting, Thursday, April 26, 2017, in The Woodlands. John McMullan, vice chairman of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors, is seen during a meeting, Thursday, April 26, 2017, in The Woodlands. Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Realtors group backs Fillault, McMullan, Snyder for The Woodlands board 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

The Houston Association of Realtors is wielding its clout in putting its support behind three members of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors up for re-election in November, but a challenger is crying foul over the HAR board's selection process.

HAR is backing John McMullan, who is running unopposed for Position 5, Ann Snyder, also the incumbent and unopposed for Position 6, and Laura Fillault, who is seeking re-election for Position 7 and is being challenged by Carol Stromatt, a longtime resident of The Woodlands.

In backing the three incumbents, HAR Montgomery County Political Affairs Advisory Leadership Chair Amanda Boyd noted what she termed their "commitment to the interests" of The Woodlands residents.

"This November, The Woodlands Township voters have the opportunity to continue supporting proven leaders in our incumbent directors McMullan, Snyder and Fillault," Boyd said in a statement. "They all understand how important homeownership is and we are thrilled to support them."

Fillault, who is in her first term as a township board member, is working to overcome a local brouhaha over profane language she used in a series of social media posts during the summer. The posts prompted some residents to question whether she should continue serving as a director. Fillaut subsequently posted an apology on Facebook and publicly apologized last month at a township forum hosted by The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce.

Fillault said in an email that she appreciated HAR's support.

"They invited all the candidates in to answer questions posed by members of the HAR (possibly TREPAC, I am not completely certain) board," she wrote. "Director McMullan was out-of-town, I believe. Dr. Ann Snyder and I were in the room at the same time answering questions. My opponent went after us. I am not aware of why they chose me but I am honored."

Fillault declined to comment on whether she felt her earlier social media posts would have any impact on the election, saying she had "already addressed the social media issue."

For her part, Stromatt, who notes she and her husband have been longtime real estate brokers in the area, claims she had been given only a brief notice before responding to a questionnaire from HAR and to a subsequent meeting with HAR – a complaint disputed by the association.

"I did not have time to prepare. I answered the questions to the best of my ability," Stromatt said. "My experience in real estate is a whole lot more than hers (Fillault's)."

But the acting chair of HAR's Montgomery County Political Affairs Advisory Leadership candidate committee, Deborah Spangler, said all the candidates were provided with the same questions at the same time, and with days to respond.

"They all had the same questions and were given the same amount of time to fill out the questionnaire," Spangler said.

As for McMullan, who was elected in 2013 and is running unopposed, he said he was "pleased" to receive HAR's endorsement.

"I look forward to serving residents of The Woodlands for the next two years as we face important decisions about our future," he said in an email.

And Snyder, like McMullan, is also running unopposed. She was elected in 2015, and is the board's treasurer and chairman of the township's Economic Development Committee.

"I'm honored, very much," Snyder said of HAR's backing. "They (HAR) were most supportive of me my first time running for the township two years ago."

HAR puts its support behind candidates it feels promotes policies and advocates for property rights and home ownership. With its 36,000 members, the association is the largest individual dues-paying membership trade association in Houston as well as the second-largest local association/board of Realtors in the nation.

Election day is Nov. 7, with early voting beginning Oct. 23 and running through Nov. 3.