Shaheen, Chalk set for mayoral runoff
10 months ago | 394 views | 0 
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Shaheen topped the vote count Tuesday with 2,269 or 38 percent. Chalk followed with 33 percent or 1,941 votes. Clifford Holmes was third with 1,724 votes and 29 percent.
Shaheen carried four of six precincts by narrow margins, losing narrowly at Northside High School to Chalk and at the recreation department to Holmes. Shaheen also carried 39 percent of 1,223 absentee ballots compared to 30 percent for Chalk.
Shaheen praised his supporters and campaign workers late Tuesday. “They have been a great team and they gave great effort,” he said.
Pointing to the cluster of friends and supporters at a Warner Robins restaurant following the posting of the campaign results, the Georgia Southern University graduate said his team consisted of different races and ethic groups.
“But that’s Warner Robins,” he noted. “Warner Robins is the International City. It represents America.”
Shaheen said he would be back on the campaign trail Wednesday. “I’m passionate about this,” he stressed. “I love the people of Warner Robins. I love this city. And I want to represent this city to America.”
He said it was a little early to seek the endorsement of Holmes, although he said he would meet with Holmes’ supporters and see what their needs were.
Chalk, in his first political race, said the outcome was impressive — how three diverse candidates could have waged such a close race.
The retired Air Force major said he thought one of the candidates would have had a significant lead.
“So this is a strong showing for me considering I was relatively unknown and underfunded,” he said. “But we spent our money very well.”
He said funding could be an issue in the runoff. “I have a couple hundred dollars left and that’s it,” he said above the noise of the Warner Robins City Hall crowd. “So I’ll need to do some more fundraising. I’ll need about $10,000.”
Chalk said the runoff will give city voters two solid options. “But I contend that I’m the best candidate to lead the city,” he noted. “It’s going to require a strong hand.”
Holmes said funding was a major issue in his campaign. “We had to pick and choose what we did very carefully because we had very little income,” the retired educator said. “We had a lot of people who gave $10 and $20. They gave from their heart. But we had only a few who could give $100.”
Holmes said it was a little early to endorse a candidate in the runoff. “At least I don’t plan to endorse anyone tonight,” he said. “I’ll talk with my supporters then I’ll make a decision
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Shaheen, Chalk set for mayoral runoff
10 months ago | 394 views | 0 | 4 | |
| 4 | |
Shaheen topped the vote count Tuesday with 2,269 or 38 percent. Chalk followed with 33 percent or 1,941 votes. Clifford Holmes was third with 1,724 votes and 29 percent.
Shaheen carried four of six precincts by narrow margins, losing narrowly at Northside High School to Chalk and at the recreation department to Holmes. Shaheen also carried 39 percent of 1,223 absentee ballots compared to 30 percent for Chalk.
Shaheen praised his supporters and campaign workers late Tuesday. “They have been a great team and they gave great effort,” he said.
Pointing to the cluster of friends and supporters at a Warner Robins restaurant following the posting of the campaign results, the Georgia Southern University graduate said his team consisted of different races and ethic groups.
“But that’s Warner Robins,” he noted. “Warner Robins is the International City. It represents America.”
Shaheen said he would be back on the campaign trail Wednesday. “I’m passionate about this,” he stressed. “I love the people of Warner Robins. I love this city. And I want to represent this city to America.”
He said it was a little early to seek the endorsement of Holmes, although he said he would meet with Holmes’ supporters and see what their needs were.
Chalk, in his first political race, said the outcome was impressive — how three diverse candidates could have waged such a close race.
The retired Air Force major said he thought one of the candidates would have had a significant lead.
“So this is a strong showing for me considering I was relatively unknown and underfunded,” he said. “But we spent our money very well.”
He said funding could be an issue in the runoff. “I have a couple hundred dollars left and that’s it,” he said above the noise of the Warner Robins City Hall crowd. “So I’ll need to do some more fundraising. I’ll need about $10,000.”
Chalk said the runoff will give city voters two solid options. “But I contend that I’m the best candidate to lead the city,” he noted. “It’s going to require a strong hand.”
Holmes said funding was a major issue in his campaign. “We had to pick and choose what we did very carefully because we had very little income,” the retired educator said. “We had a lot of people who gave $10 and $20. They gave from their heart. But we had only a few who could give $100.”
Holmes said it was a little early to endorse a candidate in the runoff. “At least I don’t plan to endorse anyone tonight,” he said. “I’ll talk with my supporters then I’ll make a decision