Voters went to the ballot box in a number of races Tuesday night to elect candidates or determine bond issues for local schools and other causes. Here is a rundown of River Valley races:
- Sallisaw High School Principal Ernie Martens defeated local attorney Robert Jamison and incumbent Jim Hudgens to become that city’s next mayor. Martens won with 51% of the vote, negating any need for a runoff. Martens has submitted his retirement as principal of the High School effective June 30th. In local city council races, Shannon Vann and Philip Gay both won their races.
- Pocola voters turned down two bond measures that would have expanded school facilities and also bought the district new buses.
- Russellville voters forced a runoff between two of the three Republican candidates vying to replace the late Greg Standridge in the Arkansas State Senate. Russellville School Board member Breanne Davis came out ahead of local gun dealer Bob Bailey and candidate Luke Heffley to garner some 43% of the vote. Davis and Bailey will meet again in a March 13th runoff race.
- Spiro voters elected Chaston Spiers to the Board Of Education over opponent Chris Terry.
- Jackie Lewis was elected to the Pocola Board of Education.