LaFayette elects new council member
Published 8:50 pm Tuesday, March 26, 2019
- Newly elected City Councilwoman Charlotte Blasingame celebrates with supporter Ruby Carr and Councilman Tomey Thomas Tuesday night outside of LaFayette City Hall after winning a special election runoff against David Ennis. --Dustin Duncan
LaFAYETTE — Charlotte Blasingame will be the newest member of the LaFayette City Council in early April.
On Tuesday night, Blasingame defeated David Ennis 97 votes to 86 votes to represent District B on the LaFayette City Council.
After hearing the results, Blasingame celebrated with supporter Ruby Carr and Councilman Toney Thomas.
Blasingame and Ennis met in a runoff after finishing as the top two candidates in a special election in February where District B resident Shannon Hunter finished third.
Blasingame said it’s been a long nine months, and she’s glad that it’s over.
“It has been a long road, but I am very proud of the workers and my team with a good, clean campaign,” she said.
The seat became open after former mayor and city councilman Mathew Hurst resigned in June 2018. In August, the LaFayette City Council decided it would be best practice if an election was held rather than appointing a replacement.
Blasingame said she is grateful to the residents of District B for voting for what they want.
“They voted because they wanted a change, and that is what they got,” she said. “That is exactly what I plan to do and make them proud.”
Ennis don’t regret getting into the race to assume a former seat on the city council. He served on the council from 2000 to 2016 and served as mayor from 1992 to 1996.
“It was a pretty tough race,” he said. “I worked with a lot of really great people, and I don’t regret one minute of it.”
As for Blasingame, she said she’s looking forward to beautifying District B and working in the new city hall.
“This town has so many possibilities. and I am excited to be a part of it,” she said. “I’m also ready to work with this city council and getting things accomplished.”
Councilman Thomas hugged Blasingame just after the results were announced and said he’s excited about the prospect of Blasingame on the council.
“I am looking forward to working with her on the council,” he said.
The results are unofficial, LaFayette City Council Louis Davidson said. The results will be made official by the city council at noon on April 1 and Blasingame is scheduled to be sworn in at the April 8 council meeting.
