Watson, Smith-Wright advance in mayoral race

Sitting Mayor Tom Watson and Commissioner Pam Smith-Wright will advance to the November election, as Watson seeks a third term as Mayor while Smith-Wright looks to become the first woman mayor in the city’s history.

Watson and Smith-Wright were the top two vote-getters in Tuesday’s primary election, which was marked by lower voter turnout. Daviess County Clerk Leslie McCarty said only 11.7% of the county’s voters cast ballots in the primary, which included three early voting days prior to Tuesday.

Watson received 2,136 votes, or 36.30% of the total cast in the mayoral race. Smith-Wright received 1,878 votes, or 31.92%. Former Mayor Ron Payne placed third, with 20.94% of the vote, while Titus Willis received 6.68% and Sharon Castle received 4.16%.

“It was a hard-fought battle, with three pretty good candidates,” Watson said, and that, “we’ve got some work to be done, and I feel the community felt good enough to (let me) make another run at it.”

Watson said the city was in debt when he took office.

“Now, we are in the best financial shape,” according to auditors, he said.

Watson said he wants to provide support to help local businesses succeed.

“I think we have to grow the economy we have, and make sure existing businesses have the tools they need,” Watson said. “We have to work hard with our existing businesses, and we’ll continue to do that.”

When asked about being chosen to run in November, Smith-Wright said, “I would attribute it to the fact that people know me.

“I’ve been here a while. I’ve served under two mayors and two city managers,” Smith-Wright said. “I know the city and I know what we need, and I’m grateful for the support I’ve received.”

Smith-Wright said she would work to gain the support of people who voted for Payne, Willis and Castle.

“I welcome any support,” Smith-Wright said. “I welcome anyone whose person did not win. I welcome them to my side. It’s the right time, and we need a change.”

Nine candidates ran for city commission, with the top eight moving on to November. Reggie Helm was eliminated, receiving 5.73% of the votes.

The top vote-getters in the city commission race were all current or former commissioners. Commissioner Bob Glenn won first place by a hair, with 2,896 votes, while Commissioner Sharon NeSmith received 2,887 votes.

Mayor Pro Tem Mark Castlen placed third, with 2,596 votes, while former Commissioner Jeff Sanford was fourth, with 2,447 votes. Curtis Maglinger received 2,097 votes, Rafe Buckner received 1,843 votes, Robert Morris received 1,241 votes, Tyler L. Goad received 1,210 votes and Helm received 1,046 votes.

Glenn said, “I think you have to let people know why you’re running and what you’re going to do, and I think we did that.”

The current city commission of Watson, Castlen, Smith-Wright, Glenn and NeSmith have worked well together, Glenn said.

“I’m proud of all of my colleagues,” Glenn said. “We worked hard during this two-year (commission) cycle, and we worked as a team.”

Later, Glenn said, “I think it’s important for all my colleagues to say, “’we are working well as a team, and we are in good financial shape.’ ”

NeSmith said part of her support was from people who knew her either from past committees or knew her work ethic.

“I really think it has to do with my past history of being involved in the community, being on committees and people knowing my work history,” NeSmith said. “I’ve been told (people) feel like I research things, and I feel like that helps. They were not voting for me just because I’m a friend. I had a lot of people support me and encourage me, and I’m ready to keep doing business.”