news-record.com

District 1

Why T. Dianne Bellamy-Small  won: As a council member, she writes annual reports for her constituents and works to be what she calls “a voice of reason.” This is her fourth victory, solidifying her status as a long-term incumbent.

Why Luther T. Falls Jr.  lost: Falls said that he could always use more volunteers and more campaign funds. This is the second time he’s lost to Bellamy-Small.

What Bellamy-Small is saying: “I’m not here for me or things that I want to do.”

What Falls is saying: “You do your very best and when that’s done, it’s up to what the people say.”

What’s next? Bellamy-Small, among other issues, will continue working for the return of benches that were part of a public art display along the Downtown Greenway. The benches were removed after neighbors complained about loitering in the area. 

District 2

Why Jim Kee  won: He said his recognition for building  and business activities in the district played to his advantage over Coad’s community activism.

Why Nettie Coad  lost: Coad said she wishes that she could’ve started campaigning earlier in the race.

What Kee is saying: “I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and bring some businesses down and get people working.”

What Coad is saying: “I’m  still kind of reeling from the mayoral race,” Coad said about Yvonne Johnson’s loss to Bill Knight . “I just

thought she ran such a great campaign.”

What’s next? Kee plans to keep building advisory committees for jobs, public safety and the environment, while Coad said she’ll still be a visible community advocate.

District 3

Why Zack Matheny won: Matheny won by a near two-to-one margin after his first term, which he credits to continued work in the district talking with residents.

Why George Hartzman lost: Incumbents often win in elections, and Matheny is a heavy favorite in the district.

What Matheny is saying: “Two years ago, I knocked on more doors, but in the last term when I heard people complain, I tried to reach out to them.”

What Hartzman is saying: “I got 3,000-some votes!”

What’s next? Hartzman said he’ll continue to advocate for local campaign finance reform and term limits, while Matheny said he’ll keep focusing on the people in his district, jobs and crime.

District 4

Why Mary Rakestraw won: She’s one of the longest-serving members on the City Council and recognizable in a district that nearly split its vote between her and Landau. Rakestraw said she tried to run a positive campaign.

Why Joel Landau lost: Landau came within 300 votes of winning but didn’t have quite the recognition of Rakestraw, who is a tireless campaigner.

What Rakestraw is saying: “I always run as a smaller dog, like I’m three points behind.”

What Landau is saying: “I don’t know if I’ll run again. I have to talk that over with my wife, but I’ll be active in the community.”

What’s next? Rakestraw said she’ll keep working with Landau as she moves from an at-large seat to representing the district, and he stays on with the Community Sustainability Council.

District 5

Why Trudy Wade won: This is a newcomer vs. incumbent race in which Wade was the heavy favorite.

Why Art Boyett lost: Boyett said he’s a newcomer to politics and the city. He didn’t have the name recognition that Wade had.

What Wade is saying: “I love working with all of them, and I think that going to community watches and trying to meet the needs of the citizens — all the citizens — is great.”

What Boyett is saying: “I learned a lot. Of course, I’m proud of what I did.”

What’s next? Wade will keep working in the district, she said, and keep speaking with residents there. Boyett is unsure of his future in politics at this point.