Shenandoah’s write-in votes for mayor exceed Lucas’ ballot count, Reisinger victory could create additional vacancy on council
By Randy Arrington
SHENANDOAH, Nov. 5 — It may take a few more days to determine who won the race for Mayor in the Town of Shenandoah. Clinton Lucas Jr. earned 542 votes, or 48.4 percent of the ballots cast in the mayor’s race. However, a total of 577 write-in votes (51.6 percent) were also cast for mayor, presumably in large part for write-in candidate, Councilman Chris Reisinger.
Reisinger earned the most votes in a five-way race for three open seats on the Shenandoah Council, with 780 ballots. While he appeared on the ballot for the council race, he not appear on the ballot for the mayoral race. So, it is unclear at this time, how many of the write-in votes for mayor went for Reisinger, who launched a public write-in campaign after the June cutoff for candidates to file.
Mike Lowe retained his seat on council for another four years after earning 438 votes. Brenda Haggett joined the council after receiving 508 votes. A total of 418 write-in votes for the Shenandoah Council were, in large part, presumably split between write-in candidates Gary Red Taylor and Ana Maria Mendez.
If Reisinger wins the race for mayor, that would create another vacancy on council. Remaining members would have 45 days to appoint someone to that seat. The council could look to the next highest finisher among the two write-in candidates, or they may appoint someone else completely.
This was the sixth time that Lucas has been challenged for his gavel since May 1990.
Page County supported Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump with 76.4 percent of the vote, with 9,923 ballots — compared to 2,910 votes for Democrat Kamala Harris. The Republican ticket carried the day locally, with GOP candidate Hung Cao winning 72.1 percent (9,187 votes) against Democratic incumbent Senator Tim Kaine (3,540); and incumbent Ben Cline earning 77.3 percent (9,848 votes) over Democratic challenger Ken Mitchell (2,641).
The proposed amendment to the state tax code expanding real estate tax exemptions on the primary residence of spouses of military personnel “who die in the line of duty” passed in Page County by 94.8 percent, receiving 11,830 votes.
Among Page County’s 17,820 registered voters, a total of 13,054 ballots were cast in the 2024 general election — a voter turnout of 73 percent.
To view 2024 Election Results for Page County — CLICK HERE
•••
RELATED ARTICLES
Do we have any indication of when the write in votes will be all counted?
Let’s just hope it’s the write in that won
The process is still unfolding, but the Electoral Board meets Tuesday afternoon to certify all final votes including provisional ballots. Update soon