Five candidates joined the race to fill the late Chuck Cooper’s Seat 3 on the St. Cloud Council. After Tuesday’s special election primary only Kolby Urban and Jose’ remain.
Kolby Urban netted the most votes in the primary with 2,142, or 48.98% of the vote – just shy of the 50% plus one vote that would have negated the need for a run in the upcoming November 9 general election, and Jose Martinez received 1208, or 27.62% of the votes. The two men will now move to the November 9 run off to see who will take Seat 3. Whoever wins will have the option to complete Chuck Cooper’s term and then run for 2 additional terms.
“We fell just short of the 50% plus one vote needed to avoid a run off, but I am very pleased with the results and look forward to November. I would like to thank all of the candidates for their dedication to our city. It is encouraging to have such a great group of people in St. Cloud,” Kolby Urban shared after the special election primary results were posted.
“The ability to follow in the footsteps of the late Chuck Cooper is one more step away. I want to thank all the other candidates for putting their hat in the ring to make St Cloud Proud. I will continue working hard to earn your vote,” Jose’ Martinez shared the morning after the primary election.
Well behind Urban and Martinez were Phil Lantry with 698 votes(15.96%), Victor Rivera with 202 votes(4.62%), and Daniel Paul Minckler with 123 votes(2.81%).
4373 of the 38,567 registered voters participated in the special election.
