Bragg, Kemp head to runoff in Fort Smith Director race

With no candidate receiving a majority of the votes, the Ward 3 position on the Fort Smith Board of Directors will be decided in a runoff election set for Dec. 3. Candidates Russell Bragg and Lee Kemp will face each other once again in the runoff election.

Three candidates ran for election for the Ward 3 position on the Fort Smith Board of Directors in Tuesday’s (Nov. 5) general election. City Director Lavon Morton chose to not run for reelection. The Ward 3 position was the only contested race among the city’s four wards.

Bragg, 65, who retired as senior vice president of supply chain for OK Foods Inc. after 36 years, received 31.733% of the votes or 2,400 votes. Kemp, 40, lead pastor at Forefront Church in Fort Smith, received 47.997% of the votes or 3,630 votes. Carl Nevin, 69, a factory worker and small business owner, received 20.27% of the votes or 1,533 votes.

Kemp said he was thankful for the support he received and is hopeful about the runoff.

“You never have voter polling at a local level, which makes us curious about how the voting will turn out. Receiving 48% of the vote, we are encouraged by the support we’ve received so far and remain hopeful that we can continue to share our philosophy of collaboration,” Kemp said. “I look forward to earning trust and the opportunity to serve our city.”

Bragg said he and Kemp now face the challenge of getting constituents out to vote on Dec. 3.

“Now we are going to have to try to convince people to get out there and vote in a runoff election. It was easier this time, with presidential, congressional and state races. There was more incentive to vote. It’s going to be harder to convince people to get out and vote when it’s only for Ward 3. But that is what we have to do,” Bragg said. “My team has asked when we are going to get together and regroup and strategize. I’m going to say the same things. I still want to fulfill what we need to do going forward to make our city what it can be and what the people want it to be.”

If no candidate receives a majority – more than 50% of the votes – in the general election, the top two candidates will go to the runoff election, which is scheduled for Dec. 3, according to Sherri Gard, Fort Smith City Clerk. With regard to the runoff election, early voting begins Nov. 26, Gard said.