Residents of Homewood elected progressive candidates in three out of four city council positions in Tuesday’s election, but one ward, Ward 3, is heading to a runoff between John Manzelli and Chris Lane.
Manzelli is entering the runoff with a lead. He got 656 votes to Lane’s 465 in the August 26 election. Greg Cobb had 79 votes, and Keith Young had 129.
Political newcomer Manzelli moved to Homewood seven years ago. He is best known for organizing a petition opposing Samford’s Creek Side development, which garnered over 600 signatures.
He faces off against longtime resident and business owner Chris Lane, who ran for mayor in 2020.
Going into the holiday weekend, Manzelli posted, “If you’re not yet a supporter, I welcome the opportunity to speak with you. I believe you’ll find me intelligent, respectful, and highly qualified — and maybe, after a conversation, your concerns about the future won’t feel quite as heavy. I just want to listen."
He went on to explain, "I’m not trying to change your vote. You have the right to support whoever you want. I’m trying to build a relationship — to make sure everyone has a voice and a chance to be heard when I'm on the council."
"I will work hard to represent everyone with respect — no matter who you supported. That work doesn’t start after the election. It starts now. It doesn’t take the weekend off," Manzelli added. "I’m looking forward to serving the people of Ward 3 with integrity and commitment on council.”
Lane stated, "This has been quite a week for Homewood. First, let me acknowledge Keith Young and Greg Cobb for their hard work on this campaign trail. It’s not easy to put yourself out there for elected office, and I hope they continue to add their voice to our community conversations."
"Over the next few weeks with the runoff, I look forward to continuing the conversation with neighbors, business owners, and families across Homewood about the future of our city. Together, we can make sure our government works for the people who call this community home," he continued. I also know how much everyone has been inundated with political ads and posts lately. So this weekend, I hope you get a well-deserved break — whether that’s cheering on your favorite team, enjoying time with family, or sneaking away for a trip to the beach or lake."
"We’ll be back in touch soon, but for now, I hope you enjoy a restful weekend in this community we all love," Lane concluded.
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