Sharon NeSmith has won the race for Owensboro City Commissioner. She claimed more than 50% of the votes, defeating Jerry Ray Davis and Titus Willis.
A commissioner seat was left vacant earlier this year following the death of Larry Maglinger. NeSmith was appointed to serve as interim until the special election could be held. By winning, NeSmith will serve the remaining year of the seat’s 2-year term.
The votes for the candidates were as follows:
- NeSmith – 7,072 (55.51%)
- Davis – 3,764 (29.55%)
- Willis – 1,903 (14.94%)
“I’m glad I won, because I want to keep helping,” NeSmith said. “…I did this to help and to help us grow or develop, and that’s what we’re gonna do.”
NeSmith is the general manager of the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Waterfront. She was a political newcomer before she was appointed to the interim commissioner position.
In her first time showing, she didn’t know what to expect and was surprised to garner more than half of the votes. She credits it largely to her passion for the city.
“It all gets down to I love Owensboro, the community, and the people here, and I just want us to keep growing because I think we’re a great town,” she said.
NeSmith is a board member of the Alliance for a Drug-Free Owensboro and Daviess County as well as the Convention & Visitors Bureau. She has served as board chair of BBQ & Barrels and the International BBQ Festival.
