» Runoff for Smyrna mayor,

Norton receives 47% of vote, again faces Campbell on Dec. 3. Powder Springs, Marietta and more can get the latest on Twitter: @cobbnewsnow

Smyrna residents will have to endure a few more weeks of politics from two candidates seeking to replace retiring, longtime Mayor Max Bacon.

Candidates Ryan Campbell and Derek Norton will advance to the Dec. 3 runoff since they received the most votes in Tuesday’s municipal election. Norton received 47% of the votes to Camp- bell’s 25%. Steve Rasin followed with 22%, Laura Mireles had 5% and Alex Backry 1%.

Norton, who was endorsed by Bacon, said he was proud

to see more than 20% of registered voters participate in the city election.

Cobb County Elections and Registration Director Janine Eveler said that of Smyrna’s 36,597 registered voters, 7,907 cast ballots in Tuesday’s election.

“I think we had a positive approach and our message resonated with voters,” Nor- ton said of his campaign, adding that he won every precinct in the city.

Campbell said he’s excited about clearing the hurdle to make it to the runoff. He said he will continue his campaign of building a broad coalit i on of pe o ple and “highlighting what makes us similar” over the next three weeks.

“We’re excited to be here and we’re very optimistic about our chances,” he said.

Incumbent City Councilwoman Susan D. Wilkinson fought off two challengers to avoid a runoff, winning 52% of the votes. Challeng- ers James “JD” Smith followed with 40% and Suz Kaprich had 8%.

Incumbent City Councilwoman Maryline Blackburn lost her reelection bid to chal- lenger Travis Lindley. Lindley won the race with 53% to Blackburn’s 47%.

Councilwoman Andrea Blustein appeared to be trailing Austin Wagner by a mere two votes. Blustein received 339 votes to Wagner’s 341 votes. Blustein told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the race “is not totally over” until the provisional ballots are counted.

Eveler said the Nov. 5 results will be certified on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Provisional, military and overseas citizen ballots have not been counted, Eveler said.

No matter the outcome of her race, Blustein said, she has enjoyed working with the neighborhoods and residents over the last eight years on the Council.

“If they call me about something, I try to get it straightened out,” she said.