Incumbent and newcomer win runoff races in Springdale

November 30, 2016 at 1:08 a.m.

by Hicham Raache

Trey Runge, 1, holds his mother Rebecca Martin’s hand Tuesday as she casts her vote in the election runoff at the Springdale Rodeo Community Center. The runoff in Springdale was for alderman Ward 1 position 2 and alderman Ward 2 position 2.
Trey Runge, 1, holds his mother Rebecca Martin’s hand Tuesday as she casts her vote in the election runoff at the Springdale Rodeo Community Center. The runoff in Springdale was for alderman Ward 1 position 2 and alderman Ward 2 position 2.

SPRINGDALE -- An incumbent and a political newcomer won the two City Council runoff races Tuesday.

photo

Jeff Watson

photo

Colby Fulfer

Incumbent Jeff Watson and newcomer Colby Fulfer won, according to unofficial vote counts.

Springdale

Ward 1, Position 2

Fulfer1,046(66%)

Ford542(34%)

Ward 3, Position 2

Watson922(59%)

Birkhead647(41%)

Source: Staff report

Watson defeated Kathryn Birkhead for the Ward 3, Position 2 seat.

Fulfer defeated incumbent Eric Ford for the Ward 1, Position 2 seat.

"The difficult part of this race is that Eric Ford has done a good job in this city and is well respected. I appreciate all the work he's put into the city of Springdale," Fulfer said after the results were posted in Benton and Washington counties. "It's never easy to defeat an incumbent, (but) I think tonight people got behind the vision we had, that Springdale can be the premiere city in the state of Arkansas, and I truly believe that."

During the Nov. 8 general election, Fulfer received 7,146 votes (44 percent) in the general election and Ford took 7,042 votes (43 percent). A third candidate, Paul Jackson Hughes II, had 2,079 votes (13 percent).

Watson claimed 6,660 votes (41 percent) and Birkhead claimed 4,563 votes (28 percent). Mike Nelson and Christopher Pryor had 2,738 votes (17 percent) and 2,343 votes (14 percent) respectively.

In the two other City Council races on Nov. 8, Rick Evans defeated Ray Dotson for Ward 2, Position 2, and Kathy Jaycox defeated Jeremy Lynch for Ward 4, Position 2.

Watson, who has served on the council for 18 years, said an array of issues are important factors in Springdale progressing as a city. Quality of life can improve by investing in the police and fire departments, parks and recreation and streets and drainage, he said.

Birkhead, who served as director of diversity for The Jones Center, championed greater youth engagement, including establishing a Teen City Council, and emphasizing programs that bring parents and community members into schools. She also supported small business development.

Ford, who said his 14 years of experience as alderman is needed on the council, also said investing in infrastructure development is what will attract jobs and investment in Springdale.

Fulfer, the owner of Westfield Chapel Funeral Home, said economic development is the key to Springdale becoming a premiere city, and also mentioned the importance of giving first-responders appropriate compensation.

NW News on 11/30/2016

Upcoming Events