BAY MINETTE, Alabama — Mayor Robert A. “Bob” Wills prevailed in his bid for re-election as voters went to the polls in Bay Minette on Tuesday, while both challengers won out in contested council seats.
Wills defeated fellow attorney Harry Still III with 79 percent of the vote as preliminary totals show only 852 of the city’s approximately 4,500 registered voters cast ballots in the race for mayor, a turnout of just under 18 percent. Unofficial results show Wills received 675 votes to Still’s 177.
Turnout was better in the races for the city’s two contested council seats with preliminary totals showing 319 total votes cast out of 991 registered voters in District 1, an approximately 32.2 percent turnout.
Unofficial results show lifelong Bay Minette resident Pete Sellers winning a narrow victory over Anne Corbett, who was appointed to fill the seat following the death of her husband, Danleigh Corbett last September.
Preliminary results show Sellers winning by just a 15-vote margin, getting 167 votes (52 percent) to 152 votes for Corbett.
“I am very thankful,” Sellers said. “I know it was a close race. I know Anne worked hard, we would pass each other on the street seeking support and I am grateful to those who have supported me through this. I am looking forward to working with Mayor Wills. I believe he has done a good job for the citizens of Bay Minette and I think we will have a good working relationship. I also believe I have a good working relationship with all of our department heads. We have good administrators in place to move our city forward.”
Corbett said she is grateful for all the support she received since filling the council seat and during the campaign.
“It was a lot of fun,” she said. “I enjoyed campaigning, getting out and meeting people and having people meet me. It was a close race and I think that speaks volumes for the respect we both received from the voters of this district. I believe Mr. Sellers will do a good job for our city.”
In the race for the District 3 seat, unofficially there was just a 27.8 percent voter turnout with a total of 264 of the district’s 954 voters casting ballots.
Challenger Matt Franklin also prevailed, defeating incumbent John W. Biggs 148 to 116 (56 percent).
“I would like to thank everyone for the support!” Franklin said in an emailed statement on Wednesday. “I am looking forward to working with the citizens of District 3 and the City of Bay Minette! We have great employees representing the city and I look forward to working with them. Our city has so much potential and I look forward to showcasing this to Baldwin County.
“Bay Minette is growing and, as a City, we must continue efforts to recruit industries and small businesses to set up shop here. Not only will this provide job opportunities for our young people, it will also improve the quality of life for all of our residents. We must also work to generate housing options and continue to expand recreational opportunities in our community to give our younger generation a reason to live, work, play and stay in Bay Minette.”
In a telephone interview, Biggs said he appreciated the support of the people of Bay Minette over his three terms serving as a city council member.
“I appreciate all the people who have supported me over the past 12 years,” said Biggs. “I have enjoyed my time on the city council and look forward to continuing to support the community.”
Incumbents Mike Phillips, District 2; William C. Taylor, District 4; and Shannon Clemmons, District 5; all qualified unopposed.
