An environmental engineer filed Monday to challenge Waco City Councilman Jim Bush for the Waco mayor’s seat as filing closed for the May 8 local elections.

Addis McNamara, 58, owner of Brazos Environmental and Engineering, is seeking the seat now held by Virginia DuPuy.

DuPuy is stepping down because of term limits.

McNamara touted his experience working on community planning boards and promised to seek more public input in city decisions.

“I have seen over the years that it’s almost where government wants to dictate and tell people of the community what’s good for them, rather than ask people what they want,” he said.

Bush, who represents West Waco as District 5 councilman, said he was prepared to have an opponent. He said his strength as a candidate is experience.

“I’ve been on the council five years,” he said. “I’ve served on a lot of boards, and I feel my record will stand up well against him or any other opponent.”

Bringing fresh ideas

McNamara said his lack of city council experience is a plus because he would bring fresh ideas to the city.

McNamara has served on city committees for Vision 2020 and the 2000 Comprehensive Plan, and he currently serves on the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce transportation committee.

He said he has plenty of valuable experience as an engineer and a member of various civic groups and community planning committees.

“I have worked my way up through committees,” he said. “I perceive it’s an advantage that I’m not part of the business-as-usual crowd in government.”

McNamara, a Waco native, lives in the Lake Air subdivision with his wife, attorney Joy McNamara. They have three grown children.

If Bush is inaugurated as mayor, the city council would have to appoint a successor to serve the remaining year of his tenure as District 5 councilman.

Meanwhile, veteran District 3 Councilman Randy Riggs is unopposed in seeking his bid for a sixth term.

The other contested city race is for District 1, in which two-term incumbent Wilbert Austin faces a challenge from Carol Dugat, an employee of The Dwyer Group and East Waco community activist.

District 1 encompasses East Waco, as well as the Cameron Park neighborhood, Timbercrest and Texas State Technical College.

Waco and Midway school districts wrapped up filing with one contested race.

Angela Eads Tekell, an attorney, filed for the Waco Independent School District seat held by longtime District 4 trustee Debbie Luce, who filed for re-election.

District 5 WISD trustee Allen Sykes filed for another term on the board, on which he has served since 1999.

jbsmith@wacotrib.com

757-5752

Staff writer Wendy Gragg contributed to this story.