David Hurst and Frank Hash were in the lead as of press time Tuesday to represent Ward 1 on the El Dorado City Council, while Judy Ward led in the race for the Ward 2, Position 2 seat and Dianne Hammond had pulled ahead in the Ward 4, Position 2 race.
By press-time, votes out of about half of all precincts in Union County had been counted, including all four wards in El Dorado.
Ward 1
Incumbent Democrat Mike Rice trailed Republican challenger David Hurst in the race for the Ward 1, Position 1 Council seat with 601 votes to Hurst’s 663.
David HurstRice, a former law enforcement officer who has served on the Council since 2012, ran on a platform that involved improving infrastructure, providing resources for first responders and bringing down crime. Hurst highlighted road and infrastructure improvements and teamwork in his campaign.
In the race for the Ward 1, Position 2 council seat, former mayor Frank Hash, a Republican, led Democrat LaQuita Rainey. Hash had 653 votes to Rainey’s 628.
Frank HashHash previously served as mayor of El Dorado from 2011 through 2019; he lost a re-election bid in 2018 in the Republican primaries. Rainey’s platform included bringing civility to City Hall, working closely with other members of the City Council and being available to her constituents.
Ward 2
Incumbent Republican Judy Ward led in the race for the Ward 2, Position 2 seat on the El Dorado City Council. Democrat challenger Jacarllus Hill followed with 445 votes to Ward’s 832.
Judy WardWard ran on a platform that included street repairs and water infrastructure improvements. Hill’s platform highlighted investments in the city’s population through community resources like public parks, mental health services and affordable housing.
Ward 4
In the three-way race for the Ward 4, Position 2 Council seat, incumbent Republican Dianne Hammond led with 557 votes. She was trailed by Democrat challenger Kensel Spivey-Green who had 428 votes at press time, and independent Patrick Frazier, who had 72 votes.
Dianne HammondHammond ran on a platform of beautifying the city and updating city infrastructure. Spivey-Green’s platform included improving the city’s infrastructure and working in a bipartisan manner with other council members. Frazier highlighted community investment and economic development in his campaign.
This story ran in the Nov. 9, 2022 print edition of the News-Times. Check back for the latest local election results and final vote counts.