For families across Cy-Fair, the people serving on the Harris County Emergency Services District No. 9 Board of Commissioners help make decisions about something residents count on when emergencies happen: dependable fire protection, emergency medical services and the resources available when someone calls 911.

The November 3, 2026, election brought a new name to the top of the Harris County ESD 9 commissioner race, with longtime Cy-Fair volunteer firefighter and community leader Daniel Arizpe receiving 51,755 votes, or 29.50% of all candidate votes recorded, according to unofficial election results reported November 4.

Incumbent commissioners Cameron Dickey and Naressa MacKinnon followed with 43,667 and 42,895 votes, respectively, positioning all three candidates to secure the available seats on the five-member board, pending official certification.

For residents and taxpayers across northwest Harris County, the election helps determine who will oversee the public funding, personnel, equipment and long-term planning behind the Cy-Fair Fire Department's fire and emergency medical services.

Harris County ESD 9 Election Results: How Cy-Fair Voted on November 3, 2026

Four candidates competed for three seats on the Harris County ESD 9 Board of Emergency Services Commissioners. Voters could select up to three candidates in the at-large election.

According to the unofficial results, Arizpe led the field by 8,088 votes over Dickey, who finished second. Just 772 votes separated Dickey and MacKinnon, who placed third.

The election recorded 135,079 candidate votes during early voting, 36,308 on Election Day and 4,046 by mail.

Because voters could select multiple candidates, the 175,433 votes represent combined candidate selections rather than the number of individual voters who participated.

The accompanying Harris County precinct turnout report listed 176,573 ballots cast among 333,867 registered voters, for a reported turnout rate of 52.89% across the listed precincts. This figure reflects overall voting activity reported for those precincts, not turnout specifically in the ESD 9 contest.

All reported results remain unofficial until the required canvassing and certification process is completed.

Daniel Arizpe Reflects on Election Results and His Commitment to Cy-Fair

For Arizpe, the election represents an opportunity to continue serving the community where he grew up, this time through a position helping oversee the emergency services he has supported for more than a decade.

In a public social media post following the election, Arizpe expressed gratitude to voters and shared his expectations for serving on the board.

"I am incredibly humbled and grateful for the trust and confidence you have placed in me."

A lifelong Cy-Fair resident, Arizpe joined the Cy-Fair Fire Department in 2013 and has spent more than 13 years serving as a volunteer firefighter. According to his candidate biography, his experience includes emergency response and public information work during some of the region's most challenging events, including Hurricane Harvey, the COVID-19 pandemic and Winter Storm Uri.

Those experiences became central to his campaign, which emphasized supporting first responders, preparing for continued community growth, maintaining transparency and providing responsible oversight of taxpayer funds.

"This campaign has always been about Commitment, Service, and Dedication to the community we call home. Today, that commitment moves into a new chapter."

Arizpe also acknowledged the people and organizations he expects to work alongside as he transitions into the commissioner role, pending certification.

"I look forward to working alongside my fellow Commissioners, the Cy-Fair Fire and EMS leadership, the dedicated men and women of the Cy-Fair Fire Department, and our community to build on the strong foundation already in place."

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Who Is Daniel Arizpe? A Look at His Fire Service and Community Background

Arizpe's involvement in Cy-Fair extends beyond his work as a volunteer firefighter.

According to his candidate biography, he has served in public information and communications roles with the Cy-Fair Fire Department, helping connect residents and local and national news organizations with information about emergencies, public safety and department operations.

Professionally, he has worked in photography, public relations, communications and media production through Apollo Productions. His experience includes editorial, corporate, commercial, event and public safety photography.

He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce and has been involved with several local nonprofit and civic organizations, including Cy-Fair Helping Hands, Reach Unlimited, the Texas Volunteer Firefighters Relief Fund and the Langham Creek YMCA.

Throughout his campaign, Arizpe described his candidacy as an extension of his existing commitment to public service, particularly as the Cy-Fair area continues to develop and the demand for emergency services evolves.

His priorities included supporting firefighters and emergency medical personnel, planning for future growth and ensuring residents receive responsible oversight of the district's resources.

In his post-election message, Arizpe reiterated that commitment.

"I am committed to serving with integrity, transparency, and accountability, while keeping the safety and well-being of Cy-Fair families at the forefront of every decision."

Incumbents Cameron Dickey and Naressa MacKinnon Also Positioned to Secure Board Seats

While Arizpe received the highest number of candidate votes, two current Harris County ESD 9 commissioners also finished among the top three.

Cameron Dickey, who serves as vice president of the board, received 43,667 votes, representing 24.89% of candidate selections. Board President Naressa MacKinnon followed closely with 42,895 votes, or 24.45%.

Both incumbents have participated in the district's ongoing oversight of fire and emergency medical services, financial decisions and planning for the area's needs.

The Cy-Fair Professional Firefighters Association endorsed Arizpe, Dickey and MacKinnon ahead of the election, emphasizing priorities that included supporting emergency personnel, maintaining operational readiness, responsible financial management and preparing for future growth.

All three endorsed candidates finished among the top vote-getters in the unofficial results.

Deborah Shepler, the fourth candidate, received 37,116 votes, or 21.16% of candidate selections.

With three seats available, the reported results indicate that Arizpe, Dickey and MacKinnon are positioned to serve on the board following certification.

What Is Harris County ESD 9, and Why Does Its Board Matter to Cy-Fair Residents?

Established in 1984, Harris County Emergency Services District No. 9 is a local government taxing district responsible for supporting fire protection and emergency medical services across the Cy-Fair area.

The district is governed by five commissioners who serve four-year terms and must be residents or property owners within its boundaries. Funding comes primarily from property taxes and sales taxes, making the board's decisions relevant to local homeowners, businesses and taxpayers.

On January 1, 2020, Harris County ESD 9 merged with its service provider, the former Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department, to operate as the Cy-Fair Fire Department. The department provides fire suppression, emergency medical care, ambulance transportation, rescue services and other emergency response capabilities to northwest Harris County.

For residents, the board's responsibilities go well beyond approving an annual budget. Commissioners oversee decisions affecting fire stations, emergency vehicles, staffing, equipment, facilities and long-term financial planning.

These responsibilities are particularly important as residential and commercial development continues across Cy-Fair, bringing additional demands on emergency response resources.

The district's planning includes evaluating future fire station needs, staffing requirements and operating costs while balancing public safety priorities with responsible use of taxpayer funds.

What Happens Next for the Harris County ESD 9 Board?

The next step following the November 3 election is the official canvassing and certification of the results.

Once the results are finalized and the successful candidates take office, the five-member board will continue overseeing fire and EMS operations, district finances and planning for future emergency service needs.

Residents interested in following these decisions can review commissioner information, meeting agendas, approved minutes and public meeting recordings through the Cy-Fair Fire Department's official HCESD 9 website.

For Arizpe, the election could mark a transition from serving Cy-Fair as a volunteer firefighter to helping guide the department's future through an elected leadership position. For Dickey and MacKinnon, the reported results point toward continued service on the board.

And for the families who depend on Cy-Fair firefighters and emergency medical personnel, the election is a reminder that local leadership decisions have a direct connection to the public safety services available throughout their neighborhoods.

Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for updates on developments affecting fire and emergency medical services across Cy-Fair.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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