Last-day filings lead to four-way race for mayor

By LYNETTE SOWELL 
Cove Leader-Press 

The list of names on the April 27 special election ballot has grown to four, after two last-day filings to run for mayor of Copperas Cove. 
Joey Acfalle filed on Monday and previously ran for mayor in the November 2018 election. He is a 21-year veteran of the United States Armed Forces and retired in 2014. During his military career and beyond, Acfalle worked as a paralegal. He presently serves on the Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation’s board of directors and belongs to the Exchange Club of Copperas Cove. 
Also on Monday, Brenda Weiand  of Copperas Cove filed to run for the office of mayor. 
Ron Nelson filed to run on February 9. Nelson is a software developer with more than 25 years of experience in a variety of roles, including programmer, technical team lead, and VP of IT Engineering. Since 2011, he has been an independent IT consultant, focused on healthcare delivery improvements and data security. Nelson and his wife, Evelyn, co-founded the Central Texas Makers Club which meets at the Copperas Cove Public Library. 
First to file was Bradi Diaz. Diaz previously served on the Copperas Cove city council and was mayor from 2004 to 2006. Diaz works for Dewald Property Management, serves on the Copperas Cove Education Foundation board and the Coryell County Appraisal District board. She is a past board member and past chair of the Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation. 
Early voting for the special election will take place from April 10-23.