COLUMBUS, Ind. — Four years after achieving one of the narrowest victories in recent local elections, Jerone Wood emerged victorious over two Democratic primary challengers to become his party’s nominee for the new Columbus City Council District 3 seat.
Wood, 34, will face Republican candidate Sue Norman-Chapple, who was unopposed in the primary, during the November general election.
Tuesday’s primary was the first election since the city council districts were redrawn as part of the once-a-decade redistricting process following the 2020 census and the city’s decision to adopt “second class” status. The change means there will be nine council members, rather than the current seven.
In total, 165 voters cast a vote in the District 3 Democratic primary, the party’s only contested race.
For the first hour-and-a-half after the polls closed, Wood was running nearly neck-and-neck with his two challengers, therapist Tony Hayden, 31, and Cummins Inc. engineer Michael Kinder, 32.
But shortly after 7:30 p.m., Wood was able to move ahead and eventually win 41% of the vote. Kinder received 30% support, while Hayden garnered about 29%.
For the complete story and more photos, see Wednesday’s Republic.
