Craig Ford to face Heather New in Gadsden mayor runoff; 5 council seats also to be decided

Gadsden voters will chose between Craig Ford and Heather Brothers New in a runoff for the city's first new mayor since 2006.

In unofficial results, Ford got 2,297 votes, or 38.51%, and New got 1,390, or 23.3%, in race with seven challengers. The runoff election is Sept. 20.

Ford said in a prepared statement that he's excited to be in a runoff and stands by his statement that he's the best choice to move Gadsden forward with his experience, results, and relationships. He said he believes experience matters, but results matter most.

A former state representative, Ford used his experience from the Statehouse in Montgomery to create a detailed plan for Gadsden. He said his plan addresses road and drainage issues, low wages for fire, police, and city employees, industrial development, crime, and school safety.

"As a first-time candidate, having never served and never ran, I'm extremely encouraged by the support I received," New said. "I believe people are ready for a change. I'm ready to keep working for the people of the city I love."

New said she's never been more energized and ready to continue the race.

"I'm proud of each candidate who ran," New said. "It takes a toll on a candidate and the candidate's family. I would request that all residents continue to keep us in your prayers."

Gadsden municipal elections: Here are the top vote-getters in Gadsden's municipal election on Tuesday

Here's how the other five mayoral candidates fared:

Robert Avery got 1,134 votes, or 19%; Thomas Worthy got 512 votes, or 8.58%; Michael Shell got 361 votes, or 6.05%; John Jacobs got 218 votes, or 3.65%; and Ron "Bunchie" Barnard got 53 votes, or 0.89%.

Council races yield five runoffs

Tonya Lynn Latham won the District 1 council seat with 58.8% of the vote (471 votes), defeating incumbent Cynthia Toles and Chari Bostick.

In District 2, Steve Smith claimed 56% of the vote (379 votes) to win the seat outright. He defeated David Devine Sr., Ashton Gray, Amy Lipscomb, and David Woodard to win the seat held by Deverick Williams, who did not seek reelection.

Larry J. Avery, Jr. will face Denecia Ann Getaw in a runoff for District 3. Avery claimed 42.12% (262 votes) to Getaw's 37.62% (234 votes). William P. Avery, Jr. also sought the seat left vacant by Thomas Worthy's bid for mayor. He received 20.26% of the vote.

Incumbent Kent Back received 670 votes — 49.37% — in the District 4 race. He will face Carrie Machen, who claimed 595 votes — 43.85% — in a runoff. Luther Abel received 6.78% of the vote in District 4.

Incumbent Jason Wilson will face Billy Billingsley Sr. in a runoff for the District 5 seat, after receiving 276 votes, or 40%, to Billingsley's 227, or 33% of the vote. Linda Riggins Aaron received 25% of the vote.

Candidates Dixie Minatra, with 32.10% of the vote (156 votes) and Renay Stokes Reeves, with 31.07% of the vote (151 votes) will face off for the District 6 seat left vacant when Johnny Cannon decided not to run again. Ricky Leath received 8.23% of the vote; Benji Mashburn took 19.96%, Phillip "Phil" Morgan received 6.17%; and Joshua F. Partee got 2.47% of the vote.

District 7 incumbent Ben Reed received 35.28% of the vote (465 votes) to face Chris Robinson, who took 49.77% of the vote (656 votes). Singn Horn received 8.50% of the vote, and James "Jimmy" Kelton got 6.45%.

In the two contested Board of Education races, Z. Andre Huff won the District 3 race with 423 votes, 68.12%, besting Fred Zackary's 31.88%, and Markus Dayton received 63.36% of the vote (422 votes) to win over Bonnie Yarnell with 36.64% of the vote.

Vote totals reported on the City of Gadsden website are unofficial and do not include provisional votes, which will be considered when the election results are certified on Aug. 30.

Contact Gadsden Times reporter Donna Thornton at 256-393-3284 or donna.thornton@gadsdentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Gadsden mayor election 2022: Craig Ford to face Heather New in runoff