By By Adam Prestridge
Howard Shell will be sitting behind the mayor’s desk for the City of Atmore for another four-year term.
Shell, who has been mayor of Atmore for 18 years, captured 60.9 percent of the vote to defeat challenger Gil Bonner Tuesday during the city’s municipal election. That evening at his campaign celebration at city hall, Shell said he was thankful that the election was behind him.
Shell won all but one district during the election. He defeated Bonner 153 to 127 in District 1, 114 to 109 in District 2, 273 to 79 in District 4 and 105 to 59 in District 5. Bonner, who received 39.1 percent of the total votes, won District 3 by edging Shell 89 to 78.
Bonner, like Shell, was also pleased with the integrity of the election.
As for the next four years, Bonner hopes Shell will take some of his campaign proposals into consideration.
Shell said he did not know how the race would turnout, but thought Bonner ran a close race.
The only change on the city council will be in District 3 where newcomer Chris Walker defeated Sam Holley 104 to 63. The seat was vacant after incumbent Louis Turner III decided against seeking reelection.
Incumbents Webb Nall in District 1 and Eldred Pritchett in District 2 retained their seats on the city council with wins at the polls. Nall defeated Anthony Williams 192 to 101 and Pritchett edged Thomas McNeal 116 to 102.
As for voter turnout, a total of 1,186 votes were cast in Atmore. Atmore city clerk Becca Smith said the turnout was slightly lower than normal.
Current District 4 council member John Garrard and District 5 council member Jim Staff both ran unopposed.
Candidates will take office on Nov. 3.
Advance sports editor Chandler Myers contributed to this story.