Tuskegee mayoral race separated by just five-votes after provisional ballot count
TUSKEGEE, Ala. (WAKA) — Tuskegee’s mayoral race will be decided in a runoff after incumbent Mayor Tony Haygood and City Council member Frank “Chris” Lee were separated by just five votes in last month’s election.
Provisional ballots were counted on September 2. Lee, an entrepreneur and council member at large, received 807 votes to Haygood’s 802 in the Aug. 26 contest. The runoff is scheduled for Sept. 23.
Lee said his campaign is focused on modernizing Tuskegee by improving government efficiency, upgrading the city’s online communication system, repairing streets and revitalizing infrastructure.
“For years, I’ve really prided myself on being the voice of reason on the city council,” Lee said. “I think it’s very important to have that person who understands technology and can help us figure out ways to make it easier for people applying for business licenses, looking at property and just getting things done in the city.”
Haygood, who is seeking a third term, points to his record of stabilizing the city’s finances during his eight years in office and attracting major industries, including Hyundai supplier Samkee Corp. The $128 million investment brought 170 jobs to Tuskegee, and Haygood said another major auto supplier is expected to locate in the city soon.
He also highlighted infrastructure projects, including a $10 million electrical substation and plans for more street paving. Haygood said his next term would focus on improving quality of life with recreational upgrades and additional roadwork.
“The first priority in the previous term was getting financially stable, which allowed us to prepare for new industries,” Haygood said. “With the next term, it will be making sure that the new revenue that we have coming is making for a better quality of life for the citizens of Tuskegee. So you have a tremendous amount of money going towards the board of education, and now we will have more money for street paving, and because we are financially stable we will be able to do a major loan to repave a lot of the streets that hadn’t been done in 25 or 30 years.”
Both candidates are urging residents to cast ballots in the Sept. 23 runoff, noting how close the last race was.
