Municipal election results tallied

WESTSIDE — According to final but unofficial Benton County election results from the Nov. 8 election, 50.4 percent of registered voters cast their ballots in the election.

Following are the uncertified results for municipalities in the Eagle Observer coverage area.

DECATUR

Bob Tharp ran unopposed and will continue to serve as mayor for another term.

Sandra Duncan received 52.53 percent of the vote for the Ward 1, Position 1 post on the city council, beating out Brandon Parker, 135-122.

Daniel Harrington, incumbent, will retain the Ward 2, Position 2 seat, with a 55.24 percent win over Rob Short, 137-111.

The 1 percent sales tax issue in Decatur passed, 167-100, or 62.55 percent in favor.

GENTRY

Kevin Johnston, running unopposed, retains his post as mayor in Gentry.

GRAVETTE

Incumbent mayor Kurt Maddox will serve another term as Gravette’s mayor, beating out Dale Ayres Sr., 605-525, for 53.54 percent of the vote.

David Henzie, running unopposed, will serve as the city’s clerk/treasurer.

In the Ward 1, Position 1 council race, incumbent Michael Deniston received 52.41 percent of the vote, defeating challenger Shane Hargrave, 532-483.

HIGHFILL

Councilman and former mayor Chris Holland narrowly defeated council member Jeremy Rogers in the mayor’s race, winning by only two votes, 290-288, or 50.17 percent of the vote.

SULPHUR SPRINGS

Shane Weber, running unopposed, will continue as mayor in Sulphur Springs.

RECOUNT

In Highfill, the mayor’s race is headed to a recount. Jeremy Rogers, who finished two votes behind Chris Holland, filled a petition for a recount at the Election Commission office on Nov. 9, said Kim Dennison, Benton County election coordinator.

Holland received 290 votes to 288 votes for Rogers, according to unofficial results.

Holland said he has been involved in Highfill politics for 15 years, serving as mayor from 2005 to 2010 and also serving on the City Council.

Rogers said he has served on the council the last two years.

Michelle Rieff, the current mayor, did not seek re-election.

“I figured it would be close,” Holland said. “Usually, the elections out here are close.”

The recount for Highfill was to happen Monday (after press deadline) when the Election Commission meets at its office in Rogers. Highfill’s recount was to start at 8 a.m. since it was the first one requested.