Change ahead for council after vote

The Pine Bluff City Council could look a little different come January, thanks to the results of Tuesday’s preferential primary election.

A seat in each of the four wards was being contested, with a runoff likely in the three-man race in Ward 3, Position 1.

Ward 1

Lloyd Holcomb Jr. was in position to win a fourth term on the council as the Ward 1, Position 1 representative in a race against Marlette Boales. Through early and absentee voting, as well as 26 of 33 polling sites reporting, results were:

Holcomb 914

Boales 447

Holcomb led in all categories with a 16-5 advantage in absentee voting, a 464-238 edge in early voting and a 434-204 margin Tuesday.

“I feel excited and humbled and honored that the citizens would re-elect me to serve another term as a first ward City Council member, along with the city council and mayor and improving this city,” Holcomb said.

Ward 2

In the Ward 2, Position 1 race, Steven Shaner was in danger of losing his seat to Yvonne M. Denton. Results with 26 of 33 polling sites reporting were:

Denton 900

Shaner 592

Shaner and Denton each had 9 absentee votes, but Denton had a 538-320 advantage in early voting and a 353-263 margin on Election Day.

Ward 3

Incumbent Glen Brown Sr. in Ward 3, Position 1 was hoping to force a runoff with political newcomer William Fells. Kenneth L. Gray was the other contestant in the race.

The results with 26 of 33 polling sites reporting were:

Fells 558

Brown 414

Gray 310

Fells and Gray each had 6 absentee votes to Brown’s 3, but Fells topped the other two in early voting and on Election Day.

“I’m hoping for complete victory, but I’m just very appreciative, thankful and honored to the voters who put this much confidence in me,” said Fells, a former special projects manager under Mayor Shirley Washington.

Ward 4

Bruce Lockett appeared to seal a victory in his Ward 4, Position 2 race against recent University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff graduate Mar’Tavius Proctor. Results with 26 polling sites reporting were:

Lockett 514

Proctor 317

Lockett, who is pursuing a third term, had the advantage in the absentee (4-3), early voting (244-154) and Election Day (266-160) counts.

“I’m just looking toward the future on what we can do as a city and a council and how to bring everyone together,” Lockett said. “We’re at the crossroads in terms of moving forward. Who’s at the table will determine where we go. We’ve got a core of council members with seniority, but every two years, we rotate two people out.”