RIDGEWAY – Ridgeway voters had their say during the town’s mayoral/council election on Tuesday.
Incumbent Heath Cookendorfer was re-elected to a second term with a 10-vote margin. Cookendorfer received 53 votes over former Ridgeway councilman and mayor Rufus Jones who garnered 43 votes.
Jones has served the last four years on council. His term expired this month.
In the town council race, three candidates were vying for two seats.
The top vote-getter among the council candidates was Rick Johnson with 65 votes. This will be his first term on council.
Current town councilman Dan Martin retained his seat by one vote to best Ridgeway Attorney Robert Hartman in a close 49 – 48 vote. This will be the second term for Martin.
Of the 228 registered voters, 99 ballots were cast that included three in-person absentee votes and one mail-in absentee vote. The turnout was 43.42 percent.
There was one write-in vote for mayor and two for council.
Late Tuesday evening, Cookendorfer texted The Voice to thank those who supported and voted for him.
“We will diligently work to reinforce the foundation that our residents have built over the years,” Cookendorfer said. “I know I speak for the re-elected as well as our newly elected councilmen when I say we are excited to bring new things to our town.”
Martin said following his win that he was looking forward to serving the people of Ridgeway for another four years.
“I want to thank all those who have supported me, especially my wife Robbie for being my Rock and biggest supporter,” he said.
“I am truly humbled by the overwhelming support I received in my election to Council in Ridgeway,” Johnson said. “I look forward to working with my fellow Council members to move our town in a positive direction and always be mindful that we represent the people’s interest in our historic town.”
Certification of the election will be at 10 a.m., Friday, April 8 at the Fairfield County Voter Registration office at 315 S. Congress Street in Winnsboro.