The three-way race for Huntsville City Council District 1 is heading to a runoff between the top two contenders, incumbent Devyn Keith and Michelle Watkins, after neither earned 50% of the vote.
According to unofficial results, Watkins fell just shy of the majority with 1,963, or 49.51%, of ballots cast, followed by incumbent Keith with 1,619 votes, or 40.83%, and Reggie Mackenzie with 383, or 9.66%.
Overall voter turnout was 7.88%.
Keith's last year as councilman and his campaign were marred by a shoplifting scandal after he was convicted of stealing from multiple Walmarts on more than 30 occasions.
Watkins told 1819 News in a previous interview that Keith's inattentiveness to his constituents' concerns and his character displayed following his shoplifting charges did not represent the community.
Watkins ran on a platform to revive north Huntsville visually and economically by attracting more retail, restaurants and commerce.
According to Keith's campaign website, he ran on "increasing property values while addressing housing affordability, investing in infrastructure, reducing crime and enhancing a vibrant quality of life for all of District 1."
Also, on Tuesday's ballot, voters reelected John Meredith to the city council's District 5 and elected Carlos Matthews to District 5 of the Board of Education. The four-way race for Board of Education, District 1, will likely go to a runoff.
To connect with the story's author or comment, email daniel.taylor@1819news.com or find him on Twitter and Facebook.
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