Incumbent Denny Manning and challenger Marc Gravitt, who ran as a team, pulled off a victory in East Ridge on Tuesday. Ann Pruett, who was favored by current Mayor Brent Lambert and former Mayor Mike Steele, finished third. Only two seats were open.
In the early voting, it was Manning 1,305 and Pruett 1,307. Gravitt was third at 1,189. But after two precincts had reported, Gravitt had a one-vote lead over Pruett. After the fourth of five precincts came in, Gravitt was more than 200 votes ahead of Pruett with Manning in the lead.
The issue was in suspense until almost 11 p.m. as East Ridge 4 was the last ballot box delivered to the election office of the county's 128 voting sites.
The final tally put Manning at 3,440, Gravitt at 3,270 and Pruett at 3,024.
Candidates Gravitt and Manning are expected to join with Councilman Jim Bethune to turn out controversial City Attorney John Anderson.
Ms. Pruett, widow of former Mayor Fred Pruett, was listed in the Anderson camp.
Denny Manning 3,440
Marc Gravitt 3,270
Ann Pruett 3,024
Mimi Lowrey 1,188
Patricia Cassidy 1,051
Stephen King 701
John Clemmer 381