ROGERS -- The race for the Ward 3, Position 2 City Council seat continues.
Residents will choose between Jerry Carmichael and Keith Jackson as their representative for the western-most portion of Rogers in the Nov. 29 runoff election.
Rogers City Council
Ward 3, Position 2
Carmichael7,058(42%)
Jackson5,513(33%)
Kolman4,253(25%)
These are unofficial, final general election results from the Benton County Election Commission.
Alderman Andrew Hatfield represents the ward, and was elected Tuesday to be city attorney. He ran unopposed.
Carmichael, an investment banker for Waypoint Private Capital and co-owner, partner and chief financial officer of TY North America, drew 42 percent of the vote. Jackson, who handles financial integrity cases for Wal-Mart, garnered 33 percent of the vote. Bennett Retails Solutions' national sales manager Danny Kolman received 25 percent of the votes.
A municipal candidate must get 50 percent plus one vote to win races with more than two contenders.
More than 16,000 residents voted in the Ward 3 race Tuesday.
"I knew that when three people entered this race, the probability of a runoff would be there," said Carmichael, who mentioned the results were about what he expected. "The thing about runoffs is getting people back out to vote."
Carmichael said he was sure people were ready to get past this particular election, which had a large early voting turnout. Receiving premature messages of congratulations and reminders that his campaign signs were still posted around town confirmed his suspicion that many residents aren't aware of the runoff.
"The key is to keep them engaged," Carmichael said, adding he's doing that several ways. He said he's using advertisements and networking in local organizations, but personal communications, primarily text messages and phone calls reminding supporters the election isn't over, is the main focus. Carmichael has campaign experience from his previous 16-year stint on the Rogers School Board.
"The power is in the relationships and asking someone personally for that help," Carmichael said.
Kolman will endorse Carmichael in the runoff.
"With his community outreach and financial background, I felt like he would be a good asset for the city," Kolman said. "I hope people go vote, it's important to and it's going to count."
Jackson, too, is keeping the lines of communications open by inviting supporters to call him with questions and concerns.
"My approach is very grassroots," Jackson said. "It's to meet as many people as I can, let them know who I am and go to events."
Jackson ran for City Council twice before this election and knows the challenge of the runoff election well. During his first City Council election, he lost in a runoff by 58 votes.
"It comes down to people you're closest to, and when there's only one race it's just a challenge," Jackson said.
His final weeks of campaigning will include reaching out to supporters, but Jackson believes ultimately his background, which includes 20 years as a department head in municipal government, will speak for itself.
NW News on 11/11/2016