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One Huntsville City Council incumbent survived a serious challenge while another managed to force a runoff by the slimmest of margins.
City Councilman John Meredith won his race against Kim Caudle Lewis, a well financed challenger who had the support of some of Huntsville’s top power players. Meredith, son of Civil Rights icon James Meredith, easily won a second term in District 5, though, grabbing 63 percent of the vote.
Meanwhile, in District 1, incumbent and controversial councilman Devyn Keith managed only to stave off what appears to be near certain defeat. School board member Michelle Watkins was a clear winner in a three-person race, but fell just shy of the 50-percent threshold required to avoid a runoff. Watkins got 49.5 of the vote.
In an interview with WHNT-19 late Tuesday night, Watkins said she felt good about the results.
“I said this was going to be a marathon when I entered the race,” Watkins said. “It doesn’t end until I win. So, the marathon continues.”
Keith, a two-term incumbent, became vulnerable following his guilty plea last August to theft charges stemming from his arrest for shoplifting at Huntsville-area Walmart stores. As part of that plea agreement, Keith has been banned from all Walmart stores.
In a statement after Tuesday’s vote, he thanked the community for supporting him.
“I am so grateful for all of the love and support from our community throughout this election,” he said. “I’m proud of the campaign we have run so far, but I know that we have more work to do.”
For his part, Meredith said he felt “vindicated” by winning a second term to represent District 5.
“I believe the people won,” Meredith said. “I feel as though I’ve been able to hear their voices and act on the things that they’ve asked me to act on.”
With Meredith’s victory, a Watkins win in a runoff election could signify a significant shift in control of the council. That runoff will occur Sept. 24.
