Former NBA Center Greg Ostertag Elected Mount Vernon Mayor Amid Tyler Runoff and Bond Votes

Mount Vernon, a small city in East Texas, held its municipal election alongside several county votes. The race attracted attention because Ostertag, a former NBA center known for his 7‑foot‑2‑inch height, ran as a political newcomer. Meanwhile, Tyler’s mayoral contest failed to produce a majority winner, triggering a runoff.

Voters in Mount Vernon chose Greg Ostertag over the incumbent, making him the city’s first mayor who stands at least seven feet tall. In Tyler, the mayoral race will go to a runoff between John Nix and Stuart Hene on June 13 after neither candidate secured a majority. Across Smith County, school bond measures passed in Spring Hill, Lufkin, Elkhart, Lone Star, Chireno, Waskom and Gladewater, while a bond in Alba‑Golden was defeated.

Ostertag’s election marks a historic milestone for Mount Vernon, potentially bringing new visibility to the city’s governance. The Tyler runoff will decide the city’s leadership for the next term, with both candidates focusing on public safety and infrastructure. Approved bonds in seven districts signal continued investment in local school facilities, which could affect property taxes and enrollment trends.