Two Bristol council incumbents lose seats; third narrowly fends off challenge [Bristol Herald Courier, Va.]

May 22--BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Two incumbents were swept from office Tuesday while the third narrowly held onto her seat on the Bristol, Tenn., City Council.

Challenger Lea Powers scored an overwhelming win in the West District, upsetting 15-year incumbent David Shumaker by an 800-vote margin.

In the East District, newcomer Chad Keen emerged from a four-way race to take down two-term incum-bent Joel Staton, the current mayor.

In the South District, incumbent Margaret Feierabend was re-elected by just 11 votes over challenger Jack Young.

Powers, a political newcomer, won with 1,934 unofficial votes, or 63.1 percent of total votes cast, accord-ing to unofficial totals. Shumaker bows out after receiving 1,128 votes, or 36.8 percent.

Votes must still be certified by the Sullivan County Election Commission.

Powers celebrated victory while surrounded by friends and family at the home of friends Jeff and Debbie McMillin.

"It feels like a new opportunity for Bristol," Powers said. "The votes weren't votes about me personally, but votes because people here recognized the need for change. They went today and through early voting to let that be known. I am just the messenger."

An executive in her family's insurance business, the 54-year-old Powers campaigned on a platform of making Bristol more business-friendly, improving relations between the city and school system and im-proving efforts to secure stable employment for residents.

Asked why voters supported her rather than the incumbent, she said, "It was time."

"I want to thank my family, all of the many supporters and the people of Bristol," Powers said. "I've gotten to meet some of the most wonderful people and they have shared their needs with me. I am humbled by their support."

Shumaker, 59, was surprised by the wide margin.

"Obviously, I'm disappointed," he said. "I thought it would be very close one way or the other. I'm proud of my 15 years of service on the City Council. I think we were able to accomplish a lot of good things in the city. I don't know if people just wanted a change or if we just couldn't compete with that kind of spending."

Shumaker spent less than $5,000 on his re-election bid, while Powers raised and spent about $18,500, according to financial disclosure reports filed with the Election Commission.

In the East District, Keen also scored an overwhelming win over Staton, receiving 47.3 percent of votes, compared to 28.4 percent for Staton. Challengers <person>Morgan Lorio and Don Evans finished with 19.8 percent and 4.3 percent, respectively.

"Tonight, we celebrate a well-run campaign," said Keen, after hearing vote totals outside the Holston View Elementary polling place. "We celebrate a lot of hard work, a lot of support and I'm very thankful for all the support. It's humbling. Tomorrow, we start to plan the future of the city, to support strong education and to unite the city for a common vision."

That vision should include working more closely with businesses and improving cooperation with Bristol, Va., he said.

"We'll come up with the vision from everybody. It will be something common to all business segments and we have to include Bristol, Va.," he said.

Keen, 49, owns a promotions company. He campaigned on a platform of attracting new business and industry, better marketing the city's assets and replacing Vance Middle School.

"I respect the other challengers and our Mayor Staton for his years of service," Keen said.

Staton, 61, concludes a two-term stint on the council that included two terms as mayor.

"I had eight good years. I think I've accomplished a lot. I think I've left Bristol a little better than when I came on [council]," Staton said. "I'm disappointed in the voters and I hope Bristol will survive the next four years with new council members choosing a new city manager."

Current City Manager Jeff Broughton announced his resignation earlier this month. He will leave in mid-June and the new council will be sworn into office July 1.

In the South District, Feierabend bested challenger Jack Young with 1,087 unofficial votes -- 35.4 percent -- to Young's 1,076, or 35.09 percent. Challenger Vince Turner received 903 votes, or 29.4 percent.

"It has been a really tough race," Feierabend said shortly after Young called to concede. "A lot of people worked very hard. I worked very hard, too."

Feierabend, 61, expects her skill of bringing people together will come into play as the new council takes shape.

"I believe we are well-positioned moving forward through the work of Jeff Broughton, our city manager, and the work of the current council," Feierabend said.

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