Batesville officials face opposition

Published 10:08 am Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Batesville officials face opposition

By John Howell
Batesville’s municipal election attracted two additional candidates on Friday, the deadline for candidates seeking city office.
Mike Fudge qualified as an independent to challenge incumbent Mayor Jerry Autrey.
Brandon Crumpler qualified as a Republican candidate for Alderman, Ward I, challenging incumbent Bill Dugger, also a Republican.
Friday’s two candidates brings contests to four Batesville elective posts.
In addition to mayor and Ward I alderman, Ward II incumbent Alderman Ted Stewart is facing a challenge from Bobby Walton. Both are Democrats.
In Ward IV incumbent Alderman Eddie Nabors faces a challenge from Dennis Land. Both are Republicans.
Incumbents Ward III Alderman Stan Harrison and Alderman-at-Large Teddy Morrow face no opposition in their bids for re-election.
By Monday, the Batesville Democratic Executive Committee had certified all Democratic candidates, including Autrey, Morrow, Stewart, Walton and Harrison as qualified for the party’s May 2 primary, an announcement by committee chairman David Walker states.
“The committee recommends that the city clerk order paper ballots, … for the primary election since the only contest Democratic race will be in Ward II, Walker states.
The only other contested race in Batesville on May 2 will be between Republicans Nabors and Land.
The contested mayor’s race will be decided in the Tuesday, June 6 General Election where Democratic nominee Autrey will face independent Fudge for mayor.
Walker also certified members of the Batesville Municipal Executive Committee as follows: Ward I, Albert Ray Norwood; Ward II, Willie King Jr., Ward III Anne Walker. David Walker serves as at-large member of the committee.

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