Based on unofficial Yavapai County election returns on the morning of Monday, July 27, incumbent Councilman Stephen DeWillis will be unseated by 384 votes in the race for three council seats by challenger Scott Ellis, the former Cottonwood Community Development director who works the same post for Clarkdale.
The two top vote-getters, incumbent Councilman Christopher Dowell and incumbent Councilwoman Debbie Wilden, are set to continue on with four-year terms.
City of Cottonwood
■ Dowell, 1,448 votes, 27.23%
■ Wilden, 1,301 votes, 24.46%
■ Ellis, 1,263 votes, 23.75%
■ DeWillis, 879 votes, 16.53%
■ write-in candidate Heather Piper White, 427 votes, 8.03%
“Obviously, the airport’s a big concern, housing’s a big concern, and I think just kind of having everything continue the way it was, kind of the status quo would be what I would say, and not any new ideas coming on board,” Ellis said. “I think the status quo of the current council is why some people wanted something to change.”
Dowell, Wilden and DeWillis did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.
Town of Clarkdale
The two four-year terms for Clarkdale Town Council member were uncontested. Both candidates advance without challenge.
■ Incumbent Councilwoman Laura F. Jones, 931 votes, 50.08%
■ Newcomer Ben Kramer, 928 votes, 49.92%, replacing retiring Councilwoman Lisa O’Neill.
Town of Jerome
Five two-year terms for council were on the ballot, and the top vote-getter is automatically mayor, however, Barber and Moore are currently tied.
■ incumbent Mayor Christina “Alex” Barber and incumbent Vice Mayor Jane Moore are both tied at 106 votes, 15.87% each.
■ Becca Miller, 99 votes, 14.82%
■ incumbent Councilwoman Sonia Sheffield, 99 votes, 14.82%
■ Tyler Christensen, 86 votes, 12.87%
■ incumbent Councilman Izzy Sharif, 70 votes, 10.48%
■ Kacey Larson, 64 votes, 9.58%
■ incumbent Councilman Dr. Jack Dillenberg, 38 votes, 5.69%
