Three La Cygne residents get most votes in write-in election
- Roger Sims, Journal Staff
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
By Roger Sims
LA CYGNE – In an off-year general election that had no one filing to run for three open La Cygne City Council seats, it appears that three men have received the most votes. However, those three have until early January to decide whether they want the job or not, according to City Clerk Jodi Wade.
Linn County Commissioner Jason Hightower and two proxy delegates appointed for commissioners Jim Johnson and Alison Hamilton, who were not able to attend, conducted a canvass of the results of the Nov. 4 election on Monday, Nov. 17.
Wade said that according to the results reported to her by the county clerk’s office, Robert Sullivan, Oscar Marino, and Kent Wade received the most write-in votes and will be sworn into office in January unless they decline the post.
According to the Linn County website, Sullivan received 10 votes, Marino received nine, and Wade received seven. Incumbent Tommy Capp had six votes and Emil Wilson had five.
In a brief interview Monday evening, Sullivan indicated that he would accept the post. He did, however, have concerns about why none of the current council members whose terms were expiring filed for reelection. Sullivan previously has served as La Cygne mayor.
Outgoing council members include Capp, Keith Stoker and David Brennemen.
Marino, who is fairly new to the city, appeared before the council in August to express his interest in a council seat, and the council went so far as to appoint him to take office in January if no one else received write-in votes.
The Journal could not reach Wade, however, sources in contact with Wade indicated that he would accept the position. Wade has served on the Prairie View USD 362 Board of Education in the past.
More than 50 La Cygne residents received write-in votes in the election, and with the city’s seat on the Prairie View school board not up for election until 2027, the only other issue on the ballot was three people running for two seats on the Marais des Cygnes Extension Council..