OAK GROVE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Councilmember Janet Edwards has claimed victory in the race for Mayor of Oak Grove, defeating Mayor Jackie Oliver in the Nov. 3 general election.
“My initial reaction was excitement and relief. After months of campaigning, it felt good to know the hard work paid off,” Edwards told Christian County Now after the results came in. “I am incredibly honored and humbled that the residents of Oak Grove have placed their trust in me. After serving on city council, being elected mayor is both an exciting opportunity and a tremendous responsibility. I am grateful for the confidence our community has shown in me.”
With a city population of over 7,000 people a total of 594 votes were cast by Oak Grove residents for the position of mayor, with Edwards receiving 244 votes, or 41.08% of the total votes. Out of the five candidates on the ballot for this nonpartisan race, Mayor Oliver received the least number of votes at only 70. This was Oliver’s first term in office, having run for the first time in 2022 after serving on the city council.
| MORE ELECTION: Just under 30% of registered voters went to the polls in Christian County
Councilmember John Campbell received 98 votes, Councilmember Richard Baker received 72 votes, and Duvon Perkins was the closest to Edwards with 110 votes.
“I want to sincerely thank my fellow candidates for stepping forward to serve our community,” continued Edwards. At the start of the election, all five mayoral candidates vowed to run a clean, honest campaign and we all stood by that promise. Running for public office requires dedication and courage and I appreciate the respectful campaign we shared. Although we may have had different ideas about how to move Oak Grove forward, I believe we all share a desire to see our city succeed.”
Since three councilmembers who are currently serving were on the ballot for mayor, this means some new faces will be joining the Oak Grove City Council at the end of the year. Since it was a nonpartisan race, residents were able to vote for up to six candidates on the ballot to choose who will be on the council.
Only a few dozen votes separated the majority of the candidates with Jean Leavell, Isaiah Spencer and Edward Cook retaining their positions on the city council. Newly elected are Yvonne Castleberry, Breana Cash and Melissa Lynch.