Council Races Spawn Two Runoffs

Thursday, November 8, 2012

— It appears Rogers residents will return to the polls later this month for two City Council runoff elections.

Benton County Election Commission officials released all electronic vote totals and started counting 20,000 paper ballots Wednesday. All results are unofficial until approved by the commission and the Benton County Quorum Court.

Keith
Keith
Andrew Hatfield
Andrew Hatfield

No candidate received 51 percent of the vote in the race for Ward 3, Position 2 or Ward 4, Position 1 seats on the council.

Herrera
Herrera

State law also states a candidate who receives a plurality of 40 percent of the votes and maintains a 20 percent lead over the second-place candidates will avoid a runoff in a general election.

Bob Goodwin
Bob Goodwin

A runoff is required between the two candidates with the most votes when a race has three or more candidates. The runoff is scheduled for Nov. 27

Carlos Chicas
Carlos Chicas

In the Ward 3, Position 2 race, newcomer Keith Jackson received the most votes at 5,063. Andrew Hatfield finished second with 4,515 votes and Mauricio Herrera tallied 3,209 votes.

Unless the paper ballots change the outcome of the race it appears Jackson and Hatfield will be in the Ward 3 runoff.

“I’m glad to get in the runoff,” Hatfield said Wednesday. “I’m going to have to work hard to win this thing. I plan to keep working and make sure I get my friends and family helping me get my supporters to the polls during the runoff.”

Jackson said Tuesday night he was excited about leading the race.

“This is my first time to run for office. I’m thrilled to be in the lead,” he said.

Wednesday afternoon, Jackson said, “I guess I need to get out and meet some new people if I’m going to win this race. I’m humbled to still be in there and I’m thrilled to be in race. I really want to win this election. I plan to continue campaigning and hope I reach enough people to win.”

There was no incumbent running for the Ward 3 seat, held by Betsy Reithemeyer. A change in the ward lines earlier this year moved Reithemeyer to the Ward 4, Position 2 race where she ran unopposed.

In the Ward 4, Position 1 race, incumbent Bob Goodwin, who has served 27 years on the council, lead the race with 4,524 votes. Carlos Chicas finished second with 3,337 votes. Rachel Cox garnered 3,063 votes and Carrie Smith received 2,097 votes.

When paper ballots are counted there is a possibility Cox and Chicas could change places. There are less than 274 votes difference between the two candidates.

As it stands Goodwin and Chicas will be in the Nov. 27 runoff for the council seat.

“Well, I guess I’ll have to get out and do some campaigning,” Goodwin said. “This is the first time I’ve been in a runoff election. I know Carlos could beat me if I don’t campaign. He’s a very hard-working candidate. So I will have to figure out exactly what I need to do to may sure I win the election.”

Chicas was the first Latino to announce and run for a seat on the council in the history of the city.

“It feels good to be in the runoff,” Chicas said. “I’ll be asking Cox and Smith for their support. I’m committed to winning this election. I hope Rogers residents vote not for the individual, but the good of the community.”

By The Numbers

Counted Votes

With all electronic votes counted and about 20,000 paper ballots still uncounted Wednesday the unofficial results of the two Rogers Council races stand at:

Ward 3, Position 2

Keith Jackson: 5,063

Andrew Hatfield: 4,515

Mauricio Herrera: 3,203

Ward 4, Position 1

Bob Goodwin*: 4,524

Carlos Chicas: 3,337

Rachel Cox: 3,063

Carrie Smith: 2081

  • incumbent

Source: Staff Report