Indianola’s mayoral race and a key city alderman post both appear headed for runoff elections after unofficial results from Tuesday’s Democratic primary left candidates in the mayor’s and Ward 5 contests with no clear majority.
Ninety-one affidavit ballots out of 135 were accepted during Wednesday’s count by the Democratic Executive Committee, and there are a total of 35 potential absentee ballots that could arrive between now and next Wednesday when all votes from Tuesday’s election are expected to be counted.
About 44% of Indianola’s 4,596 registered voters showed up to the polls, according to unofficial results on Tuesday night, resulting in likely changes in Wards 1-4.
Mayoral Race Remains Tight
The mayoral race was close by Tuesday night’s end, with Steve Rosenthal finishing just shy of an outright victory. Rosenthal collected 998 votes, or about 49.7%, compared to incumbent Ken Featherstone with 911 votes, or 45.37%, and Hollis Myrick with 99 votes.
The Democratic Executive Committee met Wednesday to review the outstanding ballots, comparing names with state voter rolls to determine which ballots should be counted or discarded.
An official count of valid affidavits is not expected until next week, as state law allows the committee up to 10 days to certify the election. The winner of the mayoral race might not be known until late October.
Ward 5 Results Could Force Runoff
Ward 5’s Democratic primary also remained unresolved. Challenger Rodreigus Young led with 175 votes, roughly 48.6%—just short of the majority needed to avoid a runoff. Incumbent Sam Brock Jr. stood at 130 votes, or 36%, and Nakala Murry had 55. With no candidate earning a majority, the race is likely to be decided in a Nov. 4 runoff, pending confirmation of all ballots.
Board Set for New Faces
Regardless of the runoffs, change is coming to Indianola’s city board.
In Ward 1, Alex Deason ran unopposed and is set to succeed Gary Fratesi, who held the seat nearly three decades before withdrawing earlier this year.
In Ward 2, Keith Spealman is the likely winner with 290 votes, or just under 60%, in the seat previously held by Darrell Simpson, who did not run for reelection.
In Ward 3, Calvin Moton carried 265 votes, or 65.4%, against three opponents, including incumbent Ruben Woods, who finished with 71 votes.
Ward 4 saw Johnny Earl Phillips securing 273 votes, while Dana Myrick Jr. collected 151. Incumbent Marvin Elder did not seek reelection for that seat.
The total number of affidavit and potential absentee ballots to be counted in Wards 2-4 will likely not affect the outcome in those races.
The 14 accepted affidavit ballots and the 14 potential absentee ballots could have a bearing on Ward 5, but it would be a tall order for either candidate to reach 50%, plus one vote at this point.
The same goes for the mayor’s race which will see an additional 91 affidavit votes and potentially 35 absentee votes split among three candidates.
If all of the absentees were to arrive and be counted, Rosenthal would need around 71 of the 126 outstanding votes to eclipse 50%.
Complete Unofficial Results
Mayor
Steve Rosenthal 998
Ken Featherstone 911
Hollis Myrick 99
Ward 1
Alex Deason 317 (unopposed)
Ward 2
Keith Spealman 290
Robert L. Campbell Sr. 161
Kendrick K. Carpenter 35
Ward 3
Calvin Moton 265
Ruben Woods 71
Alan L. Blake Jr. 49
Sibyl Walker Buckner 17
Ward 4
Johnny Earl Phillips 273
Dana Myrick Jr. 151
Ward 5
Rodreigus Young 175
Sam Brock Jr. 130
Nakala Murry 55
Municipal Executive Committee
David Rushing 1,878
Besides the two pending affidavit ballots, here is how the affidavits shaped out by ward by Wednesday
afternoon:
Ward 1: 11 accepted, five rejected
Ward 2: 21 accepted, 7 rejected
Ward 3: 12 accepted, 6 rejected
Ward 4: 33 accepted, 6 rejected
Ward 5: 14 accepted, 19 rejected
Here is how the outstanding absentee ballots look by ward:
Ward 1: 6
Ward 2: 7
Ward 3: 5
Ward 4: 3
Ward 5: 14
