Election results: Jackson Mayor race ends in 2nd historic runoff between Conger, Condray

Sarah Best, Jackson Sun

May 3, 2023 at 12:17 AM·2 min read

For the second election in a row, incumbent Jackson Mayor Scott Conger did not receive enough votes to be called the mayoral winner even though he has drawn the most votes, according to final election results, Madison County Election Administrator Lori Lott says.

Conger received the most votes in the mayoral race garnering 3,568 votes, or 47.62% of the final vote, with technology manager Ray Condray following with 2,100, or 28.03% of the final vote.

However, neither Conger nor Condray received the necessary 50.1% of votes to declare the mayoral seat, so the two will be headed to a citywide runoff election on June 13, Lott said. Early voting for the runoff will be May 24-June 8.

Mayor Scott Conger delivers a speech to supporters as the mayoral race heads to a runoff during the 2023 Jackson City Elections on May 2, 2023.

The race between long-time educator Jerry Woods, who faced off with Conger last election, ended in a historic runoff election, as well, with Conger winning the runoff by less than 800 votes.

This time, Woods fell significantly behind the two frontrunners drawing 1,458, or 17.43% of votes.

In another unexpected turn, two city councilmembers were unseated, falling behind two of three newcomers who will join the council.

Mayor Scott Conger poses with his family for a photo at his watch party at Double Tree during the 2023 Jackson City Elections on May 2, 2023.

In District 1, J.P. Stovall drew 491 votes over incumbent Sam Turner's 197 votes, while in District 5 newcomer Frank McMeen won 488 votes over incumbent Tara Skinner's 458 votes, resulting in the closest race of the night.

In District 6, two newcomers faced off with Larry Lowrance emerging as the victor with 509 votes over Byron Elam's 492 votes.

Check back with The Sun for more updates.

Mayoral candidate Ray Condray poses for a photo with his wife Kim as they canvas outside Meridian Baptist Church during the 2023 Jackson City Elections on May 2, 2023.

Mayoral race

Conger faced five candidates, including automotive software performance manager Condray, Jackson City Court Clerk Daryl Hubbard (402 votes), and former educator Lisa Williams-Lyons (91 votes), in addition to Woods.

Though still on the ballot, mayoral candidate Paul Sherrod (drawing 11 votes) remains in custody at the Madison County Jail, following three domestic assault charges, according to authorities. With a bond of $90,000, his next hearing is scheduled for May 18.

Mayoral candidate Ray Condray speaks to media as the mayoral race goes into a runoff during the 2023 Jackson City Elections on May 2, 2023.

Mayoral debate: Five Jackson mayoral candidates debate infrastructure, budget transparency, youth

Though results will be certified on May 8, the unofficial final results are as follows:

City Mayor

Ray Condray — 2,100 Scott Conger — 3,568Daryl K. Hubbard — 402 Paul Sherrod — 11Lisa Williams-Lyons — 91Jerry Wayne Woods — 1,458

City Council

District 1

J.P. Stovall — 491Sam Turner (incumbent) — 197

District 2

Johnny Lee Dodd — 439

District 3

Candice Busby — 695

District 4

Richard Donnell — 498

District 5

Frank McMeen —488Tara Skinner (incumbent) — 458

District 6

Byron Elam — 492Larry Lowrance — 509

District 7

Marda Phelps Wallace — 993

District 8

Russ McKelvey — 866

District 9

Julie Faulder Holt — 665

The most popular polling precinct locations in this election were as follows:

Westwood Community Center, Precinct 5
Masonic Temple Lodge, Precinct 9
Star Center, Precinct 26

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Jackson mayor race: Conger, Condray to faceoff in 2nd historic runoff

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