Five of six incumbents win reelection in Arlington

By , Special to The Daily Memphian Updated: August 05, 2022 10:20 PM CT | Published: August 04, 2022 11:32 PM CT
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Arlington incumbents enjoyed a big day Thursday as the northeast Shelby County town’s voters returned five of the six sitting candidates on the ballot to office.

<strong>Jonathan Dunn&nbsp;</strong>

Jonathan Dunn 

The only incumbent not to hold onto his seat was Hugh Lamar for Position 3 on the Arlington Community Schools Board of Education. Jonathan Dunn defeated Lamar with just under 60% of the vote. Unofficial results with both of the town’s precincts reporting showed Dunn received 1,500 votes to 1,026 for Lamar.


Arlington school board candidates set for final week of campaign


The Position 3 seat was one of three school board offices on Thursday’s ballot, along with three alderman positions.

In the race for Position 5, Alderman and Vice Mayor Harry McKee beat out a challenge from newcomer Steven Smith by a margin of 1,548 votes to 983.

<strong>Harry McKee</strong>

Harry McKee

“It’s just an honor to serve the Town of Arlington again,” said McKee, who earned his fifth four-year term. “My opponent ran a very clean race, and I appreciate that. We’re friends, and we will continue to be friends.”

McKee was first elected alderman in 2005 and has served as vice mayor since 2007.

<strong>Oscar Brooks</strong>

Oscar Brooks

Incumbent Alderman Oscar Brooks overcame a challenge from Jordan Hinders to secure the win for Position 4. The final vote count was 1,496 to 865. Brooks has held Position 4 since 2003.

Jeremy Biggs was running unopposed for the town’s Alderman Position 6, and he secured his second-four year term on the town board.


Arlington candidates eye final stretch of election


<strong>Jeremy Biggs</strong>

Jeremy Biggs

“I’m humbled that the residents of Arlington have placed their faith in my leadership and granted me a second term as their alderman,” Biggs said, adding that his focus during the upcoming four-year term will be on infrastructure such as roads and trying to reduce property taxes as revenues increase from commercial growth.

Outside of Lamar’s loss, the other two school board members won new terms on the Board of Education.

<strong>Dale Viox</strong>

Dale Viox

In the night’s closest race, incumbent board member Dr. Dale Viox, a member of the board since the district’s inception in 2014, defeated Dr. Cathy Wilson for Position 5. Viox won with 1,341 votes to 1,173 for Wilson.

“Yesterday was pretty stressful because Cathy Wilson is a very strong opponent. She’s got an impeccable resume. This race I was pretty worried about, so it feels good to win,” Viox said. “It’s my hope that she runs again in two years when one of the other positions opens because I think she would be a fantastic addition to our board.”

His focus over the next four years will be a working with the district’s new strategic plan that focuses on turning out better humans, with an emphasis on empathy, civility, and mental health.

Incumbent Scott Benjamin, who has also served on the board since 2014, ran unopposed for Position 1.

Topics

Harry McKee Steven Smith Jeremy Biggs Hugh Lamar Jonathan Dunn Dale Viox Cathy Wilson

Michael Waddell

Michael Waddell is a native Memphian with more than 20 years of professional writing and editorial experience, working most recently with The Daily News and High Ground News.


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