Write-in candidates win Lynchburg Town Council seats

By RANDY BURNS
Item Staff Writer
rburns@theitem.com

LYNCHBURG – Four candidates for two seats on Lynchburg Town Council received a total of 98 votes. That's not unusual for the small Lee County town; however, the winners received the same number of votes, the outcome wasn't close and the winners not only weren't on the ballot, but both also expressed total surprise at having won.

Lynchburg voters turned to two familiar public servants — councilwoman Nancy Galloway and former councilman Bruce Huneycutt — to fill the positions. Each received 31 write-in votes in the nonpartisan election that was certified Thursday, according to Lynchburg Election Commission Chairwoman Phyllis Windham.

Incumbent Bobby Morrell Sr. and Jesse Slater Sr. were the only candidates on the ballot. Morrell received 19 votes and Slater picked up 17.

Mayor Thompson Isaac, who defeated Hunneycutt in the 2007 mayoral election, said he looks forward to working with Hunneycutt and Galloway.

"The people have spoken," Isaac said. "With their experience and cooperation, I expect things to improve in Lynchburg."

Galloway, who has been on council since 2004, did not seek re-election. Galloway said she couldn't turn her back on the people of Lynchburg.

"This was a total surprise," she said. "But I am here to serve and I'm happy that people want me to stay."

Galloway said she is confident the council can move Lynchburg forward.

"I've always tried to do what's right," she said. "And I think we have a good council that will work together. And we have a lot of work to be done."

Huneycutt, who served on council from 2003 to 2007, said he was caught completely off guard by his write-in candidacy.

"I didn't even know there was a write-in campaign for me until a couple of days before the election," he said. "And to be honest, I didn't know the election was Tuesday. I thought it was going to be June 9."

Hunneycutt said he didn't ask for anyone's vote.

"But I am very flattered and very humbled by the votes I received," he said. "And I want the people of Lynchburg to know that I will work hard and do my best for the town of Lynchburg."

Hunneycutt said improving the town's finances would be the No.1 priority of council.

"We need to bring in new business to Lynchburg to bring in more revenue," he said.

Contact Staff Writer Randy Burns at rburns@theitem.com or (803) 491-4533.