Jason Wood has been named the victor of an unusual phenomenon in Lohman. After at least 14 years, the town had a contested mayoral race.
Voters in the city also approved a new 1 percent sales tax on receipts from sales and services at retail establishments.
With 33 of 49 total votes, the former city alderman will receive the mayoral position from four-year incumbent Tom Kirchner.
"I feel pretty good," Wood said. "Honestly, I didn't know how (the election) would go."
Wood said he was even more excited about the successful sales tax, which is crucial for adequately funding the city's budget.
"It will help considerably since it'll be the only income we have coming in other than the sewer department," he said.
The unofficial total was 28 votes "yes" (57 percent) to 21 "no" votes (42 percent). The city has no municipal taxes currently, and this would help fund things like street improvements instead of depending totally on funding from Cole County. The tax will go into effect July 1.
The new Lohman mayor said he looks forward to working with the council to determine where to allocate the incoming sales tax funds.
Kirchner congratulated the new mayor and hopes Wood will continue attending monthly meetings with other Cole County community leaders.
"It was an unprecedented deal to have two people in Lohman going for the same office," Kirchner said. "Had he told me that he wanted to be the mayor, I probably wouldn't have run."
Kirchner said he might get involved with the town's politics in the future, but for now he will enjoy the extra free time.
"Once you generally get into office, you're in office for life unless you convince somebody to take it over," he said. "You usually have to talk somebody into taking your place so you can give it up for a while."
Board of Aldermen undetermined
No one filed to run in Lohman's Ward 1 alderman race, so the winner was a write-in candidate who will serve a two-year term. Tom Peak got three votes, Frank Pascoe got two votes, while Chris Fisher and Stan Payne each got one vote.
County Clerk Steve Korsmeyer said it appears someone will have to be appointed to serve as alderman for Ward 2. His office found the only candidate to file for that office, Frank Pascoe, who did get 20 votes Tuesday, was not eligible to run because he lives in Ward 1. Korsmeyer said it appears the city clerk filed his candidacy in the wrong district.
See also:
Callaway County election results
Maries County election results
Miller County election results
Moniteau County election results