WINNSBORO – Voters in the Town of Winnsboro re-elected Dr. Roger Gaddy to another four-year term as mayor Tuesday night, with the incumbent drawing 344 votes (52.76 percent). Gaddy’s opponents, out-going District 2 Councilman Bill Haslett and newcomer Michael Davis, netted 232 votes (35.58 percent) and 75 votes (11.5 percent), respectively. There was one write-in vote for mayor.
“I appreciate all the support from all the citizens allowing me to have four more years in office to help Winnsboro move forward,” Gaddy said. “We all have a vision for Winnsboro’s prosperity, and hopefully we will get there in the not too distant future.”
In the race to fill Haslett’s vacated District 2 seat, Stan Klaus edged out Sonya Kennedy by 31 votes, 81 to 50. Klaus brought in 61.83 percent of the vote to Kennedy’s 38.17 percent. This will be Klaus’s second tour of duty on Town Council, having served District 2 from 1997 to 2009.
“I’ve had the butterflies all day,” Klaus said. “I was nervous throughout the whole election. I think my opponent ran a good race, and who knows, maybe she might run again one day. I plan to do the best I can for District 2 and the entire Town of Winnsboro. I’ve always devoted myself to the Town of Winnsboro, and I’m going to continue to do that.”
In the District 4 race, incumbent Jack Wilkes bested Pam Smith, 175 votes (62.5 percent) to 103 (36.79 percent). There were two write-in votes for the District 4 race. This will be Wilkes’ fourth term for District 4.
“I’m real excited and glad the people were willing to give me another four years,” Wilkes said. “We had a good turnout and it was a good race.”
At press time, Tuesday’s results were still unofficial and will be certified later this week. Tuesday night’s winners will be sworn in at Council’s first meeting in July. Of 2,414 registered voters in Winnsboro, a total of 654 votes were cast Tuesday night, for a voter turnout of 27.09 percent.
Lucas Vance contributed to this story.