The voters have spoken, and the top two candidates for mayor of the city of Jackson will be going head-to-head on the campaign trail for the next six weeks. Incumbent mayor Scott Conger will face political newcomer Ray Condray in the June 13 runoff election.
Conger said the city is positioned for more growth and opportunity than ever before, with an exceptional school system and other attributes. He is also proud to be a part of filling the gap in the past divisions between the city and county. He added that there is proof that good things happen when the two entities move in the same direction.
“It wasn’t that long ago that it would have been unheard of for the wife of a county mayor to work for an incumbent city mayor, but Loni Harris serves as treasurer for my campaign and I think that’s a testament to the positive working relationship between former [Madison County] Mayor Jimmy Harris and myself,” Conger said.
At Tuesday’s election night party, he reminded supporters gathered at The Doubletree by Hilton that the city is thriving and drawing new people.
“We’re better when we work together,” Conger said. “We’re all Jacksonians, we’re all friends, we’re all family members, church members, and so on. We can live together and respect each other. That’s how we win!”
Meanwhile in north Jackson on Tuesday night, Ray Condray and his supporters celebrated at Madison Downs. He said his original goal was to get into the runoff. With that accomplished, he still finds his second-place stance humbling and overwhelming.
The mayor’s opponent admits he is not a politician, but says God called him into the mayor’s race, not to win it, but to run it.
“We’ve done the best we could, like everything depended on us, and prayed like everything depended on Him,” Condray said.
He is ready to get into the next six weeks, but is concerned about low voter turnout, which was 20 percent for the city election. There are 41,643 registered voters within the Jackson city limits, according to the Madison County Election Commission. Voter turnout for the May 2 race was 8,379, or 20 percent.
“Apathy is the worst word in the dictionary,” Condray said. “I don’t know if voters don’t care, or if it’s just not important to them.”
Condray is asking voters to encourage others to vote and tell them why they feel it is important.
The Election Commission will certify the election results on Monday, May 8. Early voting for the June 13 runoff runs May 24 through June 8.
(PHOTO: [left] Mayor Scott Conger, wife Jessica, and children; [right] Ray Condray and wife, Kim)
