FAYETTEVILLE -- Voters chose a real estate agent to join the City Council for the Ward 3, Position 2 seat.
Sarah Bunch defeated developer Tracy Hoskins in Tuesday's runoff. Final but unofficial results showed Bunch received 1,232 votes (63 percent). Hoskins received 732 votes (37 percent).
Bunch said she was surprised and delighted with the high turnout and grateful to the voters.
"I'm ready to go work for the citizens of Ward 3," she said.
Hoskins said he wished Bunch well and offered any assistance he might be able to give in the future.
"We fought a hard fight and Sarah fought a hard fight, and the voters have spoken," he said. "I congratulate her."
Ward 3 compasses north and northeast Fayetteville, including the Northwest Arkansas Mall, Washington Regional Medical Center, Lake Fayetteville and Gulley Park.
Alderman Martin Schoppmeyer Jr., who was elected in 2012, didn't file for re-election to the seat.
Bunch, 53, works as a real estate agent with Keller Williams Market Pro Realty. She served on the Planning Commission from 2010 until this year and also is a former banker.
Hoskins, 51, owns Paradigm Construction and co-owns Great American Cookie/Maggie Moo's with his wife, Celeste. He has served on the Planning Commission since 2010.
Bunch led the Nov. 8 election with 4,183 votes, or 48 percent. Hoskins came in second with 3,119 votes, or 36 percent.
A third candidate, youth minister Benjamin Harrison, garnered 1,350 votes, or 16 percent. He endorsed Bunch in the runoff.
Schoppmeyer also endorsed Bunch and contributed $500 total to her campaign, according to candidate financial statements.
Bunch based her campaign on her connection with her constituency and communication skills. Hoskins touted his experience as a business owner and developer.
NW News on 11/30/2016