Columbus voters Tuesday ousted a pair of Republican incumbents during the city”s municipal general election, solidifying what will be a 2009-2013 Columbus City Council with four of its six seats filled with newcomers.
Ward 5 City Council Democratic candidate Kabir Karriem soundly defeated Republican Ward 5 incumbent Jay Jordan by a vote of 602-366.
In the Ward 2 race, voters slightly favored Democratic candidate Joseph Mickens Sr. over Republican incumbent Susan Mackay by a vote of 349-313.
Area residents also voted overwhelmingly to retain Democratic incumbent Mayor Robert Smith over independent challenger Thom Geiger. Smith defeated Geiger 3,367-486.
“It always feels good to win,” Smith said as his friends and family members congratulated him. “I am looking forward to four more years of serving the citizens of Columbus.
“Now, it”s time to continue progress on several issues,” Smith said as he named several projects from drainage to economic development. “Once we are all sworn in, I look forward to meeting with the new council and developing a short-term three-year and a long-term five-year comprehensive plan.”
Karriem, owner of Helen”s Kitchen on 15th Street North, took time to celebrate with his family in the Columbus Municipal Complex parking lot as he expressed gratitude to voters in Ward 5.
“It feels really good, man,” Karriem said as his children ran to hug him. “Jay is a really fine fellow, but I think the voters felt Ward 5 needed more progressive leadership.
“I love the people of Ward 5 and Columbus,” Karriem added. “It”s a really good day for me. I think the voters have spoken and they aren”t going to change. But now they are expecting us to do good things on the council, and I don”t want to let them down.”
Mickens, a local pastor, shared few words about his victory as he fought back tears while embracing family members and friends.
“There just aren”t any words to describe it,” Mickens said quietly. “I just don”t have words to tell you how happy I am right now.
“This feels really, really great,” Mickens added as friends urged him to attend a celebration party at the Holiday Inn on Highway 45 North.
Because wards 1, 3 and 6 were decided in the May 5 primary election, only the wards 2 and 5 and mayoral races were finalized Tuesday night. Ward 4 Democratic incumbent Fred Stewart ran unopposed.
During the primary election, Ward 1 Democratic incumbent Gene Taylor, Ward 3 Republican candidate Charlie Box and Ward 6 Republican candidate Bill Gavin each soundly defeated their same-party rivals to claim their respective spots on the City Council.
Unofficial results indicated about 3,880 voters, nearly 21 percent of the city”s 18,497 registered voters, cast ballots during the general election. The turnout was up from about 13 percent during last month”s primary election.
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