Photo courtesy of Kent Whitaker
East Ridge voters have elected Brian Williams as its new mayor.
Williams, who has served on the City Council for two years, defeated Jim Bethune by a two-to-one margin. Bethune was making his second bid for mayor after having served on the council for one term. Williams succeeds Brent Lambert who chose not to run for a third term.
The count shows Williams with 4,286 votes to Bethune’s 2,333.
“I am very honored and happy to have the overwhelming support of the citizens of East Ridge to continue our vision,” Williams said.
Williams said that the lopsided margin of victory could be explained by his availability on social media to answer questions by voters.
“I answered a lot of questions on emails,” he said. “I listened to the concerns of the citizens and got my vision out for the future of the city.”
In the City Council election , the top two candidates would get a seat on the council
The voters returned Jacky Cagle to a second term in office. Cagle tallied 2,348 votes to Mike Chauncey’s 2,083. Political newcomer Andrea “Aundie” Witt came in a close third with 2,022 votes.
“I think it’s a victory for the city of East Ridge,” Chauncey said. “The main goal was to stop the past mistakes. It’s a victory for the city.”
Chauncey said that the key to the win was “talking to people honestly” and knocking on a lot of doors.
In the Court Clerk’s race, incumbent Patricia Cassidy outdistanced Wayne Thompson by a two-to-one margin. Cassidy tallied 4,083 votes to Thompson’s 2,174.
Cassidy said she believes the citizens realized that her elected position is a job that is based on qualifications. Cassidy has a degree and background in criminal justice.
“”I’m just so happy to get to serve the city for four more years,” she said.
In the race for State House District 30, Esther Helton, who was involved in a bitter fight for the Republican nomination, outdistanced Joda Thongnopnua, 14,422 to 10,245 votes. She will succeed Marc Gravitt.
