Boosted by early voting, Skip Henderson unofficially wins second term as Columbus mayor
Boosted by early voting tallies, incumbent Skip Henderson took a lead that he never surrendered, winning a second term as Columbus mayor, according to unofficial vote totals.
With all the ballots counted, Henderson defeated Columbus businessman John Anker, 18,947 votes to 11,291. Final tallies were sent to the Ledger-Enquirer around 2:30 a.m., and the data shows Henderson won all 25 precincts.
Henderson, who was elected in 2018 after two decades on the Columbus Council, held off Anker, who hoped that frustrations with the current administration and record-breaking homicide numbers in 2021 would lead Columbus voters to make a change.
“It’s a testament to so many people that we’ve had relationships with that have helped us accomplish some things during some of the most difficult circumstances in the history of our city,” Henderson told the Ledger-Enquirer.
In a statement on social media, Anker said he was disappointed with the results, but he thanked his supporters. He added that Columbus’ leadership should be challenged and held accountable.
“God does not make mistakes. And we have to trust his wisdom in moments like these. However, it is with great sincerity when I say this,” he said. “I love our city and all of you. I am proud to have made new friends and battled in the trenches with you all. We have changed the talk and inspired Columbus. We have caused people to want greater, expect more, and break out of the status quo.”
Key topics
Policing and public safety were key topics during the campaign, and it started before qualifying was finished.
The local Fraternal Order of Police chapter and its president Ralph Dowe appeared before the Columbus Council in February to discuss the organization’s issues with Columbus Police Chief Freddie Blackmon.
The chapter received survey responses from 219 officers, which represents 70% of the city’s police force and 95% of CPD members in the chapter. Only 5% of the respondents said they had confidence that Blackmon could manage the department properly. Dowe did not outright say that he wanted Blackmon removed from his post, but he did say the department lacked good leadership.
Dowe and another officer then filed a federal lawsuit in March alleging that Blackmon, Henderson, the city and others alleging that the police chief made an effort to avoid promoting white men and worked to achieve a predetermined racial and gender balance within the department.
Henderson previously told the Ledger-Enquirer that he will not ask police chief Freddie Blackmon to step down. Anker did not say if he would push to remove Blackmon from his post. Instead, Anker wants to meet with Blackmon.
The race got testy in the final weeks with Anker filing a lawsuit against the city, alleging that he was wrongfully denied the findings of an internal audit of the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office and the county jail. The audit was released days after Anker’s legal action.
Dueling endorsements
Things heated up again when two organizations representing Muscogee County law enforcement officers split over their endorsements.
The West Georgia Chapter of the Police Benevolent Association endorsed Henderson. The local Fraternal Order of Police chapter endorsed Anker after initially indicating that it would not endorse a candidate. Membership in both organizations overlap.
“The members basically stated that they simply cannot endorse a failing administration anymore and they want change,” FOP Vice President Christy Edenfield said during their May 19 announcement. “That change, they’re hoping, is John Anker.”
Anker said the PBA made its endorsement behind closed doors without talking to its members. Henderson accused Anker of “stirring the pot” and unnecessarily trying to divide the organizations.
This story was originally published May 25, 2022 at 12:46 AM.