TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) -
Benson Mayor Toney King was re-elected Tuesday in a race against City Council member David Lambert.
The 49-year-old King received 671 votes (70 percent) in defeating Lambert, who had 290 votes (30 percent).
In an interview with the Benson News-Sun last month, King said he was passion about continuing as mayor, despite recent surgeries for a medical problem.
"I would like to continue serving as your mayor because I have a lot of love and passion for the City of Benson and its residents," he told the newspaper.
"Having served on the council in past years, I feel I bring valuable experience to the position and will always do my best to listen to what the people of Benson want and serve the needs of the community."
In other Benson races:
Voters renewed the city's Home Rule Option for another four years. The extension allows the city to have more flexibility in spending for programs and services. The city estimates it will be allowed to spend $18,897,000 in 2013-2014; $20,145,000 in 2014-2015; $26,961,000 in 2015-2016 and $29,261,000 in 2016-2017.
Voters were asked to select three candidates in the city council race. Incumbents Vice Mayor Lori McGoffin and Anicleto "Nick" Maldonado advanced to a runoff May 21 against challengers Jeff Cook, Brian Crafts and Peter Wangsness. Cook led the race Tuesday with 545 votes. Crafts received 544 and Wangsness 523. McGoffin (496 votes) and Maldonado (458 votes) trailed the field.
Meanwhile, in Huachuca City, former council member Kenneth Taylor was elected mayor by nine votes over incumbent Byron Robertson. Taylor received 144 votes to 135 for Robertson.
Six of the seven council candidates advanced to the general election. None of the candidates received 50 percent of the vote.
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