Manchester City Candidates Share Thoughts on Election Results

KMCH reached out to all six of Manchester city candidates to hear their thoughts on Wednesday after the election results came in late Tuesday night.

Manchester Mayor Connie Behnken is feeling thankful for the opportunity to serve the community for a second term. 

Behnken won re-election with 70-percent of the vote. She was challenged for the mayor’s seat by Joe Dittrick, who has served the past two years on the Manchester City Council. Dittrick received 29-percent of the vote.

Mary Ann Poynor was re-elected to a fourth term on the Manchester City Council, retaining her 2nd Ward seat with 61-percent of the vote.

Poynor was challenged for the seat by Curt Meiner, who received nearly 38-percent of the vote. In a written statement to KMCH on Wednesday, Meiner said, “I want to congratulate the winners and I want to thank all those who helped and supported me. I think we’re all just glad that it’s over and we can move on.”

Diane Hammell was elected to her first term on the Manchester City Council, defeating incumbent Linda Schmitt for the At-Large seat that she’s held the past four years. Hammell won with 55-percent, while Schmitt received 44-percent of the vote. Hammell tells KMCH she’s ready to serve.

The City of Manchester has not yet set a date for when the newly-elected mayor and council members will be sworn in, but City Manager Tim Vick says the oaths will need to take place before January 2nd.