Who will be mayor of Alexander starting January 1 is still undecided, since no one received 50-percent plus one vote in Tuesday’s General Election. The runoff election is scheduled for December 6.
Because Alexander is in two counties, the votes from each county are added together to determine winners of municipal elections. Crystal Herrmann received 47.40-percent of the combined votes, to Mayor Paul Mitchell’s 42.22-percent. State law requires a candidate receive 50-percent plus one vote to win.
The 540 votes cast in the mayor’s race broke down like this. Herrmann received 9 votes in Pulaski County and 247 in Saline County for a total of 256 votes. Mitchell received 22 votes in Pulaski County and 206 in Saline County for a total of 228 votes. Scott Chaloner came in third with 6 votes in Pulaski County and 29 in Saline County for a total of 35 votes (6.48%). Finally, Tom "TJ" Gaylor Jr. came in fourth with 5 votes in Pulaski County and 16 in Saline County for a total of 21 (3.88%).
The deciding factor seems to be the votes cast for Chaloner. After filing for the election Chaloner dropped out of the race over a legal issue. However, it was too late to have his name removed from the ballot. While legally Gaylor came in third, the votes for Chaloner are being used to determine the percentage of votes received by each candidate. If you don’t include his 35 votes Herrmann wins with 50.69-percent.
In the three city council races Juanita Wilson is the only incumbent to remain on the council. She defeated April Cotton for the Ward-4, Position-2 seat. Wilson currently holds the Ward-4, Position-1 seat. Wilson received 19 votes in Pulaski County and 252 in Saline County for a total of 271 votes or 52.01-percent. Cotton received 23 votes in Pulaski County and 227 in Saline County for a total of 250 votes or 47.98-percent.
Starting January 1 there will be two new members on the Alexander City Council, both winning in landslide elections. They are Gina Thomas Littlejohn for the Ward-2, Position-2 seat and Angela Griffin in the Ward-4, Position-1 seat.
Littlejohn trounced Incumbent Council Member Lonny Chapman earning 22 votes in Pulaski County and 290 in Saline County for a total of 312 votes or 60.93-percent. Chapman received 19 votes in Pulaski County and 181 in Saline County for a total of 200 votes or 39.06-percent.
Angela Griffin had a similar outcome in the vote count receiving 27 votes in Pulaski County and 308 in Saline County for a total of 335 votes or 65.68-percent. Incumbent Council Member Jeffery Watson, on the other hand, received 14 votes in Pulaski County and 161 in Saline County for a total of 175 votes or 34.31-percent.
Four candidates for city council were unopposed, three current members and one new face. Council Member Joe Pollard (Ward-1; Position-1), Council Member Joy Gray (Ward-2; Position-1) and Council Member Harold Timmerman (Ward-3; Position-1) were all unopposed. Political newcomer Tony Staton was also unopposed for the Ward-3; Position-2 seat. It’s currently held by Dan Church who did not seek re-election.
No one ran for the Ward-1; Position-1 seat including its current occupant Council Member Elizabeth Bland. Although she did not file a petition for re-election, by state law she is still considered a council member.
The position of mayor is a four-year term. Council members serve two-year terms.
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