Hurst wins Earle council seat runoff

Hurst wins Earle council seat runoff

Special election for mayor’s seat Feb. 14

news@theeveningtimes.com

Earle will have a new face on the city council in January.

Tyrone Hurst unseated incumbent Councilwoman Sarah Johnson, 132 to 54, in Tuesday’s runoff election for Johnson’s Ward 4, Seat 2 position.

Hurst was the top votegetter in the Nov. 8 election. out-polling Johnson, 90 to 69, with Robert Udell Sr. receiving 50 votes in the three-way race, but was forced into a runoff when neither candidate received a majority.

This was Hurst’s first run for elective office and the newcomer said it felt good to win. He and his wife walked the entire city door-to-door twice and was busy calling friends and relatives to support him and posting on social media.

“I had been thinking about it for the last five years,” Hurst said. “I prayed about it and said ‘God, I’m going to put my name in and if you want it to happen and you want me to do it, then I will be fine.’” Hurst, who works as a counselor for Life Strategies of Arkansas, said he hopes to bring more “youthful” ideas to the city council.

He has been involved with the basketball program in Earle for the last 14 years for Earle Youth Activities Association.

“I’m dealing with kids all the time,” Hurst said.

“That’s our future — the youth. If we focus on them then the city will prosper.”

Hurst will also serve alongside his father-inlaw, Councilman Donnie Cheers.

“He didn’t give me any specific advice other than I would know when I am ready to run,” Hurst said.

The results were delayed slightly Tuesday night after poll workers had to deal with a medical emergency when a voter collapsed and required medical attention.

The Election Commission also voted in favor of counting two provisional ballots. Records showed that both voters requested absentee ballots which were sent out but not returned.

The election commission will certify the results on Friday at 5 p.m. On a related matter, the Election Commission set a tentative date for the mayoral race in Earle for Feb.

14.

Voters in Earle will return to the polls to elect a new mayor after Carolyn Jones was recalled 522 to 239 after a stormy two years which was marked by continuous controversy, promting the need for a special

election.

By Mark Randall