Columbus Mayoral Race Headed to Runoff; Several Council Seats Decided in Muscogee County Election

Columbus voters did not select a new mayor outright Tuesday night, setting the stage for a runoff election between former City Manager and longtime public servant Isaiah Hugley and businesswoman Joanne Cogle.

With all precincts reporting, Hugley led the field with 16,315 votes, while Cogle secured 9,188 votes, earning the second spot in the June 16 runoff election. Because no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, the race advances to a second round of voting.

Chris Breault finished third with 4,718 votes, followed by Jaketra Bryant with 3,460 votes. Mark LaJoye received 1,861 votes, and Steve Kelly finished with 968 votes.

The mayoral contest highlighted a highly competitive election cycle in Columbus, where voters also decided several city council races and a closely watched state Senate primary.

District 1 In Columbus City Council District 1, Simi Barnes won election with 60% of the vote, receiving 2,923 votes to defeat Karen Gaskins, who received 1,949 votes. Barnes will replace appointed council member Byron Hickey and assume the seat previously held for more than two decades by her father, former Councilor Jerry “Pops” Barnes.

District 3 Sherrie Aaron won the district 3 council seat, succeeding retiring Councilor Bruce Huff. Aaron secured 2,100 votes, or 56.23% of the vote, defeating Zack Lee, who received 914 votes, and Jake Golden IV, who finished with 728 votes.

District 5 Incumbent Charmaine Crabb retained her District 5 seat, defeating challenger Robert Wadkins Jr. Crabb received 2,330 votes compared to Wadkins’ 1,879 votes.

District 7 District 7 voters will also return to the polls for a runoff election after no candidate received the required majority. Rebecca Zajac led the race with 1,135 votes, or 45.22%, while Lakethe Ashe received 946 votes, or 37.69%. Chiara Richardson finished third with 429 votes, or 17%.Zajac and Ashe will now face each other in the June 16 runoff.

District 9 The district 9 at-large race also headed to a runoff election between Dr. Cathy Cook and John Anker. Cook led the field with 13,389 votes, or 37.57%, followed closely by Anker with 12,316 votes, or 34.56%. Rocky Marsh received 6,715 votes, or 18.84%, while John Van Doorn secured 3,215 votes, or 9.02%.

State Senate District 15 In the Democratic primary for the Georgia State Senate District 15 seat, Teddy Reese won the nomination to succeed retiring Sen. Ed Harbison. Reese received 11,983 votes, or 59%, defeating Ed Harbison Jr., who received 5,571 votes, or 27%, and Alyssa Williams, who finished with 2,840 votes, or 14%. Reese will now face Republican candidate Chuck Hand in the November general election.

Election officials confirmed that runoff elections for mayor, District 7, and District 9 will be held June 16, 2026.

The Courier Eco Latino Newspaper will provide additional analysis and a more comprehensive breakdown of voting trends, turnout, and demographic patterns in the coming days.