Westcott, Williams win Washington City Council seats
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter Monda Williams, candidate for city council on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015
Ken Westcott
Political newcomer Monda Williams will be the first black woman to serve on Washington City Council, joining incumbent Ken Westcott, who was also a winner in Tuesday’s general election.
Incumbent Terry Faust lost his bid for a third term on council.
With nine of 11 precincts reporting late Tuesday, Westcott received 774 votes and Williams had 708. The two Democrats will be sworn in for four-year terms in January.
On the Republican ticket, challenger Georgia Ballentyne received 574 votes, and Faust, who ran as an independent, picked up 474 votes.
“I feel like I’m making history,” Williams said. “It humbles me to know that I am contributing to the greater good and continuing to do positive work for all people and African-Americans, as well.”
Williams said she has been in contact with Westcott, who answered her questions about serving on council.
Westcott, who was mayor for eight years and councilman for two, frequently clashed with outgoing Mayor Brenda Davis, who lost to newcomer Scott Putnam in the Democratic primary. Putnam was the only name on the mayoral ballot, as he also received the Republican write-in nomination.
“I think that obviously with the new mayor in place, we will be more productive for the City of Washington residents,” said Westcott. “I want to thank the residents for their faith in me, and I want to wish (Williams) good luck. I look forward to working with her.”
Westcott, 52, is the current head of the street department. Both he and Faust nearly missed appearing on the ballot. Westcott gathered enough write-in votes in the primary after his nominating petitions were challenged and he withdrew them. Faust, who also withdrew from the Republican primary after his petitions were challenged, ran as an independent.
Ballentyne and Faust could not immediately be reached for comment.
City Treasurer Denny Adams and City Controller Nick Dubina ran unopposed.