A contentious mayoral race in the small town of Manor, Texas, reached a dramatic point, with a razor-thin 31-vote margin forcing a runoff election between Robert Battaile and Trish Campbell. But the race has been anything but typical—fraught with serious accusations of election fraud, coercion, and civil rights violations, all of which are raising eyebrows far beyond Manor’s city limits.
Battaile, a long-time activist known for his work on local causes, is no stranger to controversy. Despite being banned from social media and arrested on charges that he says were politically motivated, Battaile is now at the center of an election that has ignited tensions between local government officials, law enforcement, and residents. The November 2024 election saw Battaile finish but with only a narrow 31-vote lead over Campbell, forcing a runoff set for December 2–10.
Battaile, who has spent years fighting for the preservation of local history and environmental issues in Manor, claims that city employees engaged in a pattern of misconduct that tainted the election. These allegations, if proven true, could shake up not only Manor politics but also raise questions about the integrity of local elections across the state.
Election Fraud Allegations: Battaile Takes Aim at Local Manor Officials
At the heart of the controversy is Battaile’s claim that two city employees—Lluvia Almaraz, the city secretary, and Leslie Moore, the city manager—violated election law by engaging in what he calls "election coercion." Battaile argues that these officials actively interfered with candidate applications, leading to what he calls a “rigged” process that unfairly impacted several candidates, including his own.
One of Battaile's main grievances revolves around Bobby Reese, a City Council candidate who was allegedly denied a place on the ballot after following all required procedures. Battaile argues that Reese was told he couldn’t run for the City Council, even though he had completed all necessary steps and had met deadlines for filing. According to Battaile, Reese's voter registration was rejected under questionable circumstances, and his application was improperly dismissed by Almaraz and Moore, violating state election laws.
Battaile has since filed a formal request with the Texas Attorney General, asking for the election to be contested and possibly re-held, citing what he describes as systematic fraud and mishandling of candidate applications. His claims were further bolstered by his own arrest on charges of "disorderly conduct" and "harassment"—charges he argues were fabricated by Manor officials to intimidate him and silence his opposition.
“It's been a pattern of harassment from these city employees,” Battaile said. “They think they can control the process and silence people who speak up. I’m not backing down.”
The Arrest and Its Aftermath
Battaile’s arrest, which occurred in August 2024, came after a series of public confrontations with city officials. According to Battaile, police officers were called to Manor City Hall after he attempted to challenge city employees about what he believes were violations of election procedures. In his letter to the Texas Attorney General, Battaile claims that the officers who arrested him did so based on false information provided by Moore and Almaraz.
In the aftermath of his arrest, Battaile filed a formal police report accusing the two city officials of coercion. He claims that both Moore and Almaraz not only misled him but also failed to follow proper procedures when it came to candidate filings. "I was arrested for standing up for transparency," Battaile added. "These people were lying, and when I pointed that out, they used the system to try and shut me down.”
Yet despite his claims, no local investigation has been launched into the alleged misconduct, and Battaile says that his requests for video footage of the incidents have been ignored.
“I’ve been asking for months to see the footage from City Hall," he explained. "What are they hiding?”
A Divided Town and a Polarizing Election
While Battaile’s accusations have caused a stir in Manor, the town remains deeply divided on the issue. Trish Campbell, who finished just behind Battaile in the mayoral race, has distanced herself from the allegations of election fraud, instead focusing her campaign on economic development and increasing transparency in local government.
“I don’t believe that the election was rigged, but I respect Robert’s right to contest the process,” Campbell said in a recent interview. “I want to move forward, and I think the people of Manor deserve better. They deserve leaders who will focus on getting things done.”
However, Battaile’s supporters, many of whom are long-time activists or members of the town’s minority communities, view the mayoral race as an opportunity to challenge the establishment. They argue that Manor's political system has long been plagued by corruption, and Battaile's campaign has become a rallying cry for reform.
“It’s not just about Robert,” said one of Battaile’s supporters. “It’s about holding people accountable. The whole town is watching, and if the authorities won’t do anything, we will.”
Battaile has even gone so far as to accuse the local police department, headed by Chief Ryan Phipps, of failing to investigate the alleged coercion or misconduct, calling the lack of action "a betrayal of the public trust."
What Comes Next: Runoff Election Set for December
With early voting for the runoff election set to begin on December 2 and run through December 10, all eyes are now on the voters of Manor. Battaile, who finished with a narrow 31-vote gap, is determined to press forward with his campaign despite the many challenges he faces. “I’m not giving up on the people of this town,” he said. “I’m running to make Manor a better place for everyone, not just the people in charge.”
For now, it seems that the allegations of election fraud will continue to play a prominent role in the race. Battaile remains hopeful that his voice, and the voices of his supporters, will be heard.
“It’s a fight for the soul of Manor,” Battaile said. “If we can’t trust our own election process, what do we have left?”
As the runoff approaches, the controversy surrounding Manor’s mayoral race is unlikely to subside anytime soon. What happens next could not only shape the future of Manor, but it could also serve as a bellwether for the ongoing debate about election integrity and transparency in Texas politics.
A Call for Transparency
As Manor voters prepare for the December runoff, many will be left wondering if the town's election process can ever be fully trusted again. While Battaile’s accusations remain unproven, they highlight deeper issues surrounding local governance, transparency, and the role of city officials in ensuring fair elections. For now, the focus will be on whether the runoff can proceed without further controversy or whether it will be forever marked by the cloud of suspicion cast by Battaile’s allegations.
