Canton Residents Elect Grant, But 2 Races Will Go to Runoff

While Canton residents have decidedly elected one resident to its City Council, two other races will head into a runoff.

Ward 2 candidate Bill Grant defeated resident Ari Durham for the seat. Grant took 963 votes, or 63.86 percent of the vote to Durham's 538, votes or 36.68 percent.

Unofficial results show both the Ward 1 and Ward 3 races heading into a runoff.

Ward 1 candidate Sandy McGrew garnered 48.92 percent, or 727 votes. Clint Weatherby received 513 votes, or 34.52 percent of votes. Rounding out the Ward 1 race is Bob Reilly, who received 15.95 percent, or 237 votes.

The Ward 3 race, which has four candidates, will also head into a runoff. Leading the pack is John Rust, with 43.94 percent, or 671 votes. He's followed by Farris Yawn at 443 votes, or 29.01 percent; Molly Lewis at 301 votes or 19.71 percent; and Tom Sanders at 107 votes, or 7.01 percent.

Grant said he was "overwhelmed" by the win, and thanked voters for electing him to the position. 

"I have been saying all along that I have full faith and confidence in the voters and I feel great about that," he said of his win. 

Both McGrew and Weatherby said they are ready for the next step of the campaign. 

McGrew noted the race has been clean and positive and hopes it stays that way as campaign heads into December.

"At the end of the day, we are still neighbors and we’ll see each other around town," she said. 

Weatherby added he's motivated by the upcoming challenge. 

Yawn said he was "disappointed" in the race's results, as he was hoping to avoid the runoff. Yawn added he felt he has a "very good chance" of winning the runoff

"I thank all my supporters and hope for their support again," he added. 

Rust said while he also wanted to avoid a runoff, he was thankful Canton residents chose him as one of the two candidates to spend the next 28 days battling it out. 

He said both he and Yawn ran a clean campaign and no matter who wins, either one of them will continue to contribute to Canton in some form or fashion.

"We are both trying to do the same thing and I’m trying to work real hard to be the one who does it," he added. 

The run off has been set for Tuesday Dec. 3. Polls will once again be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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