Lynn Long will take over the reins of Fort Oglethorpe, replacing the late Mayor Ronnie Cobb.
Long led a crowded field of experienced candidates in Tuesday night’s election, garnering 535 votes for 50.23 percent. Harold Silcox finished with 300 votes, and Judd Burkhart came in at 188 votes. Richard Egeland lagged behind with 42 votes.
Long, 66, was chairman of the Catoosa County Commission from 1993 to 1996. He ran again for commission chairman in 2008 and lost to Keith Greene.
The special election was held to replace Cobb, who died Aug. 17. According to city code, the winner did not have to get 50 percent of the vote, but only had to breach the 40 percent threshold.
For complete details, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.