By Paul Gable
Autry Benton defeated Kendall Brown in yesterday’s special runoff election to fill the seat vacated when former city council member Alex Hyman resigned to accept a judgeship. Benton garnered 760 votes in the runoff to Brown’s 726.
Brown led the first leg of voting with 428 votes to Benton’s 401. Three other candidates in the special election first round were eliminated.
The runoff drew approximately 200 more voters than the first round of voting June 13, 2023, when there were five candidates in the race. Election commission members commented that both rounds of voting went very smoothly with no problems experienced.
Benton’s margin of 34 votes was slim but in excess of the one percent difference between candidates which would have required a recount.
The Conway Municipal Election Commission certified the results of the special runoff election at 10 a.m. Wednesday June 28, 2023.
Benton will serve the unexpired portion of Hyman’s four-year term, which ends December 2023. He will seek reelection in the regular city election on November 7, 2023.
Benton said he was excited with the victory. “Now it’s time for me to work hard and earn my pay and the respect of the citizens,” he said.
Benton said talk is cheap in a campaign but he Intends to serve by three maxims:
- I will listen to the people
- The people will always know where I stand
- We may disagree but I will always be their neighbor and friend
Benton will be sworn into office at the July 17, 2023 regular meeting of Conway City Council.
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