By T. Scott Boatright
Bill Sanderson has been mayor for Choudrant for 31 years.
Make it another four after the Republican garnered 55.96% of the vote (277 ballots cast) while opponent Brandon Milner, also a Republican, pulled in 44.04% of ballots (218).
Sanderson has been Choudrant’s mayor since taking over for his father, the late Lynn “Ikey” Sanderson, who passed away in 1991. “Ikey” Sanderson served as Chodurant’s mayor for 42 years after being appointed to the job by the governor when the town was incorporated in 1949 and never had an opponent in an election until 1988, when he won easily.
“The vote says that the people of Choudrant are happy with the growth, the property values and the direction that our community has gone, and I’m very, very humbled and appreciative for all of their work, their vote and all of their support,” Bill Sanderson said late Tuesday night.
Milner said he, too, was humbled by the support he received during the election.
“We ran a good positive race and at the end of the day it just wasn’t enough,” Milner said. “I’m so very humbled by the amount of support behind me. I want to thank all of my supporters from the bottom of my heart.
“Win or lose I loved every minute of conversation and door knocking. I made new friends and caught up with some old friends. There’s always next time in political races. Thank you to everyone for their support.”
Sanderson said he’s ready to turn his full attention back to guiding the village while not having the campaign in the back of his mind.
“We’ve got a bunch of the things we’re working on right now, and during the election, everything — you have to slow it down,” Sanderson said. “Especially if you’re trying to be progressive with some things, the election just sort of quiets that until it’s all said and done.”
Choudrant voters also moved to stand pat with its Board of Aldermen with all three incumbents being the top vote-getters.
Republican John Coswell Jr. led the way with 28.82% of the vote (302) while unaffiliated Rick Maier was second with 26.72 (280) and Republican Thomas Patton finished third with 25.00% (262).
Blake Duncan, who lists no party affiliation, was the fourth-place finisher with 19.47% of ballots (204).
