Huntsville City Councilman Devyn Keith forces runoff, John Meredith reelected

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August 28, 2024

Huntsville City Councilman John Meredith will continue to represent Huntsville’s District 5 residents while District 1 Councilman Devyn Keith will be in a runoff with challenger Michelle Watkins following Tuesday’s municipal elections.

In two school board races, Carlos Matthews was reelected in District 5 while Chaundra Jones and Pat King will face each other in a runoff election next month for the District 1 seat.

The turnout was low, as expected, with just 7.2% of the 77,028 registered voters in the two districts casting ballots.

With 100% of the ballots counted, Meredith easily outpolled businesswoman Kim Caudle Lewis by a 62.53% (1,310 votes) to 37.47% (785 votes) margin, in unofficial results.

In the District 1 Council race, Watkins, a former school board member, garnered 49.51% of the vote (1,963 votes) over Keith, who had 40.83% (1,619 votes). Reggie McKenzie was third with 9.66% (383 votes).

In a Facebook post, Keith said, “I’m proud of the campaign we have run so far, but I know that we have more work to do.

“I am the only candidate with a detailed plan for what the next four years will entail. We will continue to share our message about the incredible growth and prosperity we have achieved together in District 1.”

Matthews, the school board District 5 incumbent, picked up 59.6% (1,136 votes) of the vote to Zara Broadenax’s 40.4% (770 votes).

Jones (39.12%; 1,506 votes) and King (34.86%; 1,342 votes) were the survivors in a four-person race for the District 1 school board seat. Claudia Harris (13.3%; 512 votes) was third and former District 5 Councilman Will Culver was fourth (12.73%; 490 votes).

The City Council will canvas the results at noon Sept. 3. If a candidate receives a majority of the votes cast for the office, the council issues a certificate of election. If no candidate receives a majority, council shall order a runoff election, which will be held Sept. 24.

The last day to register to vote for the runoff is Sept. 9. Last day for City Council to appoint election officials.

Sept. 17 is the last day for a voter to apply for a regular absentee ballot and Sept. 23 is the last day for a voter to apply for an emergency absentee ballot.

The newly elected municipal officials will take office Nov. 4.

This story originally appeared in 256 Today.