Copenhaver bests Bryant in Jonesboro mayoral run-off

Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver was elected to a second four-year term during Tuesday’s (Dec. 3) mayoral runoff race against Alderman L.J. Bryant. In unofficial results, Copenhaver received 5,264 votes, about 60% of those cast. Bryant tallied 3,446 about 40% of those cast.

Copenhaver and Bryant advanced to the runoff after being the top two vote earners in the November general election outpacing previous challengers Thomas Elwood, and Jeremy Terrell. Copenhaver, a former state representative prior to his mayoral runs for office, told Talk Business & Politics he was thrilled by the result.

“I was very humbled by today’s result. I think it shows that the community supports the work we’ve been doing and the community wants us to continue that work,” he said.

During his second term, Copenhaver said he will focus on infrastructure and public safety improvements. He said he will also focus on area high school students in after school programs to help develop civic leadership and a better trained workforce in the future. If constituents have questions about his agenda, they can ask him.

“I do listen and I think it’s one reason why we’ve been able to accomplish the things we’ve accomplished,” he said.

Bryant, who has served on the Jonesboro City Council for seven years, said he would remain engaged in advancing campaign issues.

“I congratulate the mayor on his re-election. I look forward to working with him on the council to continue to advocate for the things we discussed in the campaign,” said Bryant.

Runoff elections typically have much lower turnout than general or primary elections, and this race was no exception. Only 5,127 voters cast early votes on the race, putting the mayoral race on pace to be decided by less than 10% of the city’s population.