Few contested city council races in area cities

Fort SmithTalk Politics

by Tina Alvey Dale ([email protected]) ago 0 views 

Only two of the city council races in Alma, Greenwood and Van Buren appear to be contested in the 2024 election cycle. Because candidates are not certified by the county election commissions until Aug. 22, a certified list of candidates is not available.

However, the uncertified lists show the majority of municipal seats up for election in the Nov. 5 general election are uncontested with only the incumbents filing.

In Alma, the six seats on the city council expire in 2024. The mayor and city clerk terms are not up for election until 2026. The council is composed of Sandra Kilpatrick (Ward 1, position 1); Larry Blassingame (Ward 1, position 2); James McGhee (Ward 2, position 1); Evan Thacker (Ward 2, position 2); Damon Brown (Ward 3, position 1); and Gary Perry (Ward 2, position 2).

Kilpatrick, McGhee, Thacker, Brown and Perry all filed for reelection to their positions. None have an opponent filing for the seat. Blassingame did not file for reelection according to the uncertified list provided by the Crawford County Clerk’s office. The list shows no one filing for that city.

A representative with the Crawford County Clerk’s office said that in the event no one seeks election to a city council seat, the city appoints someone to fill the position.

In Greenwood, there are three seats on the city council up for election in November – Ward 1, position 2; Ward 2, position 2; Ward 3, position 2.

Alderman Rod Powell (Ward 1, position 2) will face challenger Cameron Kehler, and Alderman Ralph Meeker (Ward 3, position 2) will face challenger Christian Jones. Tim Terry, alderman for Ward 2, position 2, is unopposed, according to the uncertified list.

The mayor, city clerk-treasurer and city attorney in Van Buren are four year terms that do not expire until 2026, so they are not on the ballot this November. However, every city council member in Van Buren is up for election this November. All six incumbents have filed for reelection, and all six are unopposed, according to the uncertified list from the county clerk’s office.

Following are the incumbents seeking reelection.
Tyler Wood – Ward 1, position 1
Tonia Fry – Ward 1, position 2
Matt Dodson – Ward 2, position 1
Madison Simmons – Ward 2, position 2
Michael Kneeland – Ward 3, position 1
Shannon Newerth-Henson – Ward 3, position 2