Sherrie Hicks, Brian Ueleke and Jon McCreery won their races for Germantown alderman on Tuesday as the suburb’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen took on a new look.

All three of the winners, in Positions 3, 4 and 5 were seeking their first elected office, and they replace aldermen Dean Massey, Forrest Owens and Rocky Janda, all of whom decided not to seek reelection.

Hicks had 55% of the vote in defeating Terri Johnson who finished with 44%.

“I am honored to be elected to represent the citizens of this great city,” said Hicks, a longtime member of the suburb’s Planning Commission. “I look forward to the work ahead. After 25 years of service and volunteer work, I am eager to continue working to improve the city that has given my family so much to be thankful.”

She said the city is a “special place” and expressed gratitude for the support from friends and neighbors.

Ueleke won 50% of the vote, while John Paul Miles received 40% and Rod Motely received 9% of votes.

“I am humbled by the support of residents across Germantown,” Ueleke said. “I am looking forward to working with all the residents of Germantown to move our community forward for a better Germantown. This campaign presented unique challenges and wouldn’t have been successful without all the support of friends neighbors and especially my family.”

McCreery carried the biggest lead of the night, receiving 57% of the vote in defeating Brandon Musso for Position 5.

“It’s been a very rewarding experience to run, and it’s certainly has been difficult,” McCreery said of the campaign. “I look forward to having a role in the future of our community and working with the citizens of Germantown the next four years.”

Meanwhile,for school board, Brian Curry captured 61% of the votes, carrying a strong lead throughout the night over Scott Williams. Curry’s lead was significant in early voting returns, providing a springboard for an easy night with Curry claiming victory early.

”I’m excited,” Curry said. “I’m thankful to Scott for running a very clean campaign, and I am thankful for the faith and trust the voters have put in me.”

More than 50% of voters in Shelby County cast ballots early. As for absentee votes, 29,340 ballots were requested and 27,915 absentee ballots were returned. Only 60 people who tested positive for COVID-19 voted.

Election Day brought a slow turnout of voters Tuesday as Germantown residents chose their new elected officials. 

The majority of seats on the suburb’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen were at stake, and the question of whether candidates running with similar ideology would carry the day. While the non-partisan candidates for alderman do not run as an official ticket, the lines were drawn between those running as a team; Hicks, Ueleke and McCreery on one side with Johnson, Miles and Musso on the other. The latter trio seemed aligned with those who opposed development and the direction of Mayor Mike Palazzolo’s administration.

Finances, endorsements show alignment in Germantown elections

There were also three school board races on the Germantown municipal ballot, but only one – with Curry and Williams fighting for Position 3 – was contested. Ryan Strain ran unopposed for Position 1, and he will take the seat held by Linda Fisher. Amy Eoff, in Position 5, had no opposition and will serve four more years.

Some wondered how close the races for alderman would be. There is a divide in Germantown among those who oppose development, particularly apartments, and those who are interested in a more diverse, controlled approach. 

In the 2018 election, the narrow margin between incumbent Palazzolo and Alderman John Barzizza led to recounts and a court challenge. That close race led some to believe that a change in the suburb’s philosophy could be at hand.

But in the end, the three races on Tuesday were not exceptionally close despite the high turnout with the presidential race at the top of the ballot.