RUSSELLVILLE — With 59.25 percent of the votes, Alderman Bill Eaton unseated Russellville Mayor Tyrone Williamson in Tuesday’s runoff election.
Although officials from the Pope County Election Commission said they were disappointed with the turnout of 3,561 voters, many friends and family gathered at election headquarters on Main Street in Russellville to wait for results on Tuesday evening when polls closed.
Many had been campaigning outside since early that morning.
“I’ve been here since 3 p.m.,” said Eaton’s daughter Julie Looper. “But my sisters have been here since 8:30 a.m. We’ve talked to lots of people about my dad, and I think he’s the best man for the job.”
When it was over, Eaton said he was relieved.
In his first words as mayor-elect, he called Williamson a friend and offered many thank yous.
“I want to thank my friends and family, all who have supported me,” Eaton said. “I can’t express how much I love them and how they have stuck by me through all of this.”
Eaton announced candidacy for the office in January, when he said the city needed to go in a different direction.
“If you want what you’ve had the last four years in the way of leadership in this city, don’t vote for me,” Eaton said during his last debate with Williamson before the runoff.
Williamson won the race for mayor four years ago in a runoff election. During his time in office, two lawsuits were filed against him and the city by former employees. He received questions about his work hours after allegedly writing on a disability claim that he worked 20 hours per week (the position of mayor is listed in the city bylaws as full time). The form was never found, and Williamson maintained popularity among his constituents.
“If I can’t have your vote, I still need your prayers,” Williamson said.
Eaton and Williamson were opposed in the general election by retail manager Marvin Collier and Phillip Carruth, an alderman and former Russellville mayor.
Eaton said he is ready to step up and lead the city. His goals include a comprehensive drainage plan for the city, a citizen-focused group of volunteers to clean the city and promote more green technology, enhancing mobility to include development of the city’s trail system and supporting the Arkansas Valley Alliance for Economic Development.
“There has been a lack of an oar on this boat,” Eaton said of the city. “It has been adrift in the issues of the city. Upon taking office there will be a captain, and we will right the ship and we will sail in a manner that will get us where we need to go.”