Boone County’s municipal election was held on Tuesday, April, 8. Voter turnout reached 25.18%, with 31,586 total votes counted — a 1.68% increase from the previous election — according to Boone County’s official website.
Mayor
Incumbent Mayor Barbara Buffaloe was elected for a second term, defeating Blair Murphy, Tanya Heath and certified write-in candidate Lucio Bitoy IV, with 55.07% of the total vote.
As mayor, Buffaloe has pledged to continue her commitment to sustainability, work with the Columbia Police Department on crime reduction strategies and support Columbia culturally by continuing to prioritize events like the True/False Film Festival.
“I think she needs more time, and I love what she’s done so far,” Buffaloe supporter Gayle Link said at her campaign’s watch party Tuesday night. “I think she has a good plan that just needs longer to come to fruition.”
Some voters supported Buffaloe because of her experience in local government compared to the other candidates. Supporter Colin LaVaute expressed his excitement for Buffaloe’s victory.
“The woman that won tonight is the woman that understands how local government works,” LaVaute said. “Whenever her opponents stepped up to any different forum, they had no idea how the local government works and they suggested ideas that weren’t even legal.”
In a victory speech at her watch party, Buffaloe expressed gratitude for her volunteers and encouraged them to continue organizing for the community.
“This is not done,” Buffaloe said. “We’re gonna have to continue to show up and support Columbia because this is who we are. We love where we live and serve where we love.”
Columbia City Council
Incumbent Nick Foster defeated challenger Ron Graves in the race for Columbia City Council’s Fourth Ward, winning 62.21% of the vote.
Foster’s policy revolves around managing housing affordability, infrastructure and public safety to better support Columbia’s growth. He has also pledged to maintain an open line of communication with constituents through email and phone communication. He also plans to continue sending out a regular newsletter to his constituents.
Foster spent time during his campaign emphasizing his trust in Chief of Police Jill Schlude and his eagerness to support her cause of “protecting the vulnerable.”
Running unopposed, Jacque Sample was elected to the Third Ward. Sample has highlighted accessible housing and road maintenance as top concerns.
School Board
The two empty Columbia School Board seats were filled by incumbent Board President Suzette Waters and newcomer Erica Dickson, beating Ken Rice with 39.23% and 37.42% of the vote, respectively.
Waters has served on the board for three years, two of which she served as president. Her second-term plans are focused on remaining directly involved with student, teacher and parent organizations.
Dickson has worked in Columbia Public Schools as an attendance secretary, instructional aid, homeschool communicator and assistant director of student services. She says she ran for school board to be an advocate for the upliftment of students who have not seen success.
Edited by Eric Hughes | ehughes@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Emma Short | eshort@themaneater.com
Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com
