Morris edges out Taylor in runoff for city council place 1
Fri, 2015-12-11 05:00
News Staff
By LYNETTE SOWELL
With a margin of 22 votes, David Morris edged out Azeita Taylor in the runoff election for Copperas Cove city council place 1 on Tuesday, with 278 votes, or 52 percent, to Taylor’s 256 votes, or 48 percent.
Morris will replace Cheryl Meredith, who was term limited for that position. The runoff election will be canvassed during a special city council meeting on Dec. 15, with Morris’ swearing-in set for Tuesday, Jan. 5 during a city council workshop meeting.
On Tuesday evening Morris gathered with family and friends at Grill Daddy’s to await the results not long before the polls closed.
“I’m ready to get to work. Today’s outcome is proof that every vote truly counts,” Morris said. At age 34, Morris is one of the youngest elected city council members in at least a decade and he hopes to bring a younger voice and perspective to the council.
On Tuesday evening, he spoke about the historically low turnout of voters in addition to this runoff election.
“I did hear that a lot of people didn’t know there was a runoff. As much as we had it in our newspapers, as much as we had signs out on the streets in our community, it still surprised me. I don’t know how we can do any more than what we have already done, but traditionally (runoffs) are lower,” Morris added. “When you have other contested races as well, you’re going to get different draws of voters out. There were only two reasons to go to the poll: Azeita and myself.”
Morris said early that morning he began reaching out via social media to friends and family in the Copperas Cove area, and encouraged them to tag their friends about remembering to vote on Election Day.
“We had the ALS ice bucket challenge that went viral, but yet when it comes to decision making, and electing the people who are going to be making decisions for our city, we barely get 500,” he said. “I would’ve loved to have seen 1,000 people come out to vote today. We’ve got to increase that message and get people out there.”
He wished Taylor luck in the future, and Taylor sent Morris her congratulations and said she prayed he does a good job.
“This was extremely close. I’m proud of the race I’ve run and those who stood by me,” said Taylor. “I congratulate David on his win and hope we actually see great things come out of this. Thank you to all who voted for me.”
This was Taylor’s third bid for a place on the Copperas Cove city council. Taylor ran against Marty Smith in the November 2013 general election for place 4, then ran against Kirby Lack and George Duncan in a 2014 special election for place 5, which also required a runoff election, with Lack coming in ahead of Taylor during that runoff.
As for making a fourth run for city council, Taylor said, “I do foresee myself running again.”
In November 2016, places 3, 4 and 5 on the city council will be on the ballot. Currently Dan Yancey, Marty Smith and Kirby Lack serve in those positions, respectively.