A long-time local businessman defeated a Hopkinsville City Council member to win the Mayor’s office for the coming term.
Republican J.R. Knight outpolled Democrat and current City Council member Alethea West 5,018 to 3,233 based on final unofficial vote totals from the Christian County Clerk’s office.
Knight will take over the reins from current Mayor Wendell Lynch, who declined to seek election to a full term after fulfilling the remainder of the unexpired term of former Mayor Carter Hendricks. Lynch had served on City Council prior to his selection to succeed Hendricks.
Knight spoke with the News Edge from Republican election night headquarters at the War Memorial building, saying he’s looking forward to building on the city’s positive momentum when he takes over as mayor.
click to download audioA long-time businessman, Knight says he wants to put his business knowledge to good use in managing the City of Hopkinsville as mayor.
click to download audioWest, a one-term city councilwoman, was seeking to become the second woman elected mayor of Hopkinsville.
Meanwhile, there will be six new faces on the 12-member City Council at the first of the year – and the Council will be all Republican.
In Ward 2, Republican Bruce Smiley ran unopposed for the seat formerly held by Kimberly McCarley. In Ward 3, Republican Donald Marsh defeated Democrat Karen Bass by a margin of 4,246 to 3,634 to win the seat formerly held by Alethea West. In Ward 7, Republican Doug Wilcox defeated Democrat William Coleman by a vote of 4,650 to 3,221 to win the seat currently held by Councilman Terry Parker. Republican Robert Terry Meek will represent Ward 8, winning over Democrat Twyla Dillard by a vote of 4,512 to 3,338 for the seat now held by Tom Johnson.
Two incumbents were defeated in their bids for re-election. In Ward 9, newcomer Jamie Lynn Lienberger, a Republican, polled 4,371 votes to unseat incumbent Democrat Patricia Waddell Bell with 3,508 votes; and in ward 12, longtime Democratic councilman Phillip Brooks lost to Republican Matthew Handy by 462 votes – 4,157 for Handy to 3,695 for Brooks.
Three incumbents beat back challenges to win another two-year term. Republican Natasha Sophia Francis won reelection in Ward 1 over Democrat Vance Smith by a margin of 4,244 to 3,529. Ward 6 incumbent Republican Travis Martin defeated Democratic challenger Nichelle “Niecy” Hillis by a vote of 4,823 to 3,191. And in Ward 11, incumbent Republican Jason Bell defeated Democrat Jose Quinonez with 5,202 votes to 2,625 for Quinonez.
Republican incumbents Chuck Crabtree in Ward 4, Amy Craig in Ward 5, and Steve Keel in Ward 10 ran unopposed.
