Council elections shape up in Fayetteville

With today’s noon filing deadline for this fall’s elections, council races have emerged in only two of Fayetteville’s voting wards.

Up for grabs this November were Position 1 seats in each ward as well as the city attorney’s position.

Current City Attorney Kit Williams filed for re-election, but was the only individual to file and will face no opponent.

Here’s a look at each of the four wards:

Ward 1, Position 1

Adella Gray

Current Ward 1 alderwoman Adella Gray filed for re-election, but will run unopposed.

This one’s no surprise as Gray said last month that she wanted to stay on the council.

Ward 2, Position 1

Mark Kinion

Adam Fire Cat

Mark Kinion and Adam Fire Cat were the only two residents to file for the Ward 2 seat left vacant by current alderman Kyle Cook.

Kinion, who narrowly lost the Position 2 seat to Matthew Petty in 2008, announced his candidacy earlier this year.

Cat ran for mayor in 2008 along with five other candidates, but lost to Lioneld Jordan. After briefly considering a Senate run, he switched his focus to the Ward 2 council seat this summer.

Ward 3, Position 1

Justin Tennant

Justin Tennant was the only person to file for the Ward 3 seat.

This comes as somewhat of a surprise considering current alderman Robert Rhoads was reportedly planning to seek re-election.

Tennant, who announced his candidacy in March, will run unopposed.

Ward 4, Position 1

Rhonda Adams

Jeff Dickey

Rhonda Adams and Jeff Dickey filed for the Ward 4 seat left vacant by current alderwoman Shirley Lucas.

Adams, who announced her candidacy in late June, thought she might face retired Army Green Beret Jim Laubler. Instead, Laubler has decided to serve as Dickey’s campaign manager.

The others

Central United Methodist Church organist Jonathan Story was expected to file in Ward 2, but missed the deadline according to city clerk Sondra Smith.

Feltner Bros. manager Josh Nowell this week told the Northwest Arkansas Times he planned to run in Ward 4, but did not file.

Ongoing coverage

For a ward map and all of our ongoing coverage including photos and bios of each candidate, visit fayettevilleflyer.com/council2010.