The runoff election to decide city council races in Ward 1 and Ward 4 will take place today (Dec. 4) in Fayetteville.
In Ward 1, Educator Sonia Gutierrez will face artist Olivia Trimble in the runoff to determine the winner of the Ward 1, Position 1 seat. Both women hope to replace Adella Gray, who was first elected in 2006 and is the council’s longest active member. Gray did not seek a fourth term in the Nov. 6 election.
On election day, Gutierrez received 2,303 votes (41%), while Trimble took 2,220 votes (39%). A third candidate, Kris Paxton, received 1,132 votes (20%).
In Arkansas, when there are more than two candidates, if a single candidate doesn’t secure over 50 percent of the votes, the two people with the most votes go to a runoff election four weeks later unless the leading candidate receives more than 40 percent of the votes and is ahead of the runner-up by 20 percent.
Meet the Candidates
The following candidates have responded to a request from the Fayetteville Flyer for more information about their candidacy in the Nov. 6 election.
Ward 1
Sonia Gutierrez
Olivia Trimble
Ward 4
John La Tour
Teresa Turk
Campaign Finances
State law requires any opposed municipal candidate who received or spent more than $500 to file official reports with the county clerk’s office.
Ward 1 encompasses south and southeast Fayetteville, including the areas south of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Huntsville Road. Mount Sequoyah, Happy Hollow Elementary, and Ramay Junior High School are also included in Ward 1.
In Ward 4, environmental consultant Teresa Turk will face incumbent John La Tour to determine the winner of the Ward 4, Position 1 seat.
Turk received 2,909 votes (45%), while La Tour took 2,811 votes (44%). A third candidate, Adam Fire Cat, received 677 votes (11%).
Ward 4 contains a large portion of west Fayetteville, including Razorback Stadium, Holt Middle School, Holcomb Elementary School, and the Boys & Girls Club of Fayetteville.
Voters can cast ballots from until 7:30 p.m. at their choice of 7 voting centers around the county.
Voting Centers
– Covenant Church (4511 W. Wedington Dr, Fayetteville)
– Elkins Community Center (162 Doolin Drive, Elkins)
– Genesis Church (205 Martin Luther King Blvd., Fayetteville)
– Goshen Community Center (244 Clark St., Goshen)
– Ridgeview Baptist Church (1850 E Huntsville Rd, Fayetteville)
– Sang Avenue Baptist Church (425 N. Sang Ave, Fayetteville)
– Shiloh Community Church (4262 W. Mt. Comfort Rd, Fayetteville)
To check your voter registration status and view a sample ballot go to voterview.org.
For more information about the runoff election, visit co.washington.ar.us.
