Winona mayor to serve another term
Published 9:50 pm Saturday, May 2, 2026
WINONA — Winona Mayor Rachel Moreno is expected to serve another term after a majority of voters cast their ballot for her in Saturday’s city elections in Smith County.
Moreno received 56%, or 77 votes. Challenger Rusty Smith, who is a former Winona mayor, received 44%, or 60 votes. Projected as the winner, Moreno received just 17 more votes than Smith. Results are considered unofficial until they are canvassed.
Moreno took office in 2024. She owns multiple companies in environmental, medical and health-related fields.
She made Winona her home in 2020 and said she found herself immediately involved with the city’s local government.
During her first term, Moreno said in addition to restoring the wastewater treatment plant, which was done through scholarships and the city’s own funding, she also helped support upgraded water infrastructure, the installation of new electronic meters, the addition of around 7 miles of new gas lines and completed road repairs without the city taking on debt.
Moreno said for her next term, her top priorities are to focus on economic growth and attracting new businesses to Winona. She also wants to continue infrastructure upgrades.
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“In the next couple of years, we’re going to see a lot of growth in Winona and I’m looking forward to it,” Moreno said in a previous interview with the Tyler Morning Telegraph. “The main thing is to grow this town, our infrastructure has to be good and there’s a lot to be proud of that we’ve done, so we will work super hard to continue to make that happen.”
The mayor of Winona serves as the city’s chief elected official, presiding over the alderman city council, which is composed of five aldermen that represent the entire city, with one being the mayor pro-tem. The mayor acts as a key policymaker, helping set city goals, services, projects and the annual budget while being a spokesperson of the city, according to the City of Winona website. The mayor serves two-year terms.
In the local city council race, Headlee P. Daniels received 71 votes, or 34.30%. Karen Hysell received the second-most votes, or 70 votes, garnering 33.82%. Incumbent Dee Roden received 66 votes, or 31.88%. Results are unofficial until canvassed.
There are two seats up for election, so voters had the choice to vote for none, one or two of the candidates. The two candidates who officially receive the most votes will serve as the city’s next aldermen.
An alderman of Winona serves on the city council. The aldermen serve as a legislative body alongside the mayor helping set city goals, services, projects and the annual budget, according to the City of Winona website. Aldermen serve two-year terms.