Live updates: latest Columbus 2026 runoff election results in mayor and council races
These nonpartisan races in Columbus started a year ago with declarations of intention to accept campaign contributions last summer. Now, the 2026 elections for mayor and two of the 10 city council seats culminate tonight, when the results of these runoffs are released.
Columbus mayoral runoff election results
The runoff for the mayor’s race is between former city manager Isaiah Hugley, who received 45% of the initial round of votes among six candidates May 19, and Columbus Councilor Joanne Cogle of District 7, who finished second with 25%. Mayor Skip Henderson couldn’t run for reelection because city law limits the mayor to two four-year terms.
Here are the latest results from the Muscogee County Elections and Registration Office, representing the advance in-person votes, absentee by-mail votes and all 25 precincts on election day, although yet to be certified:
Hugley 16,309 (51.58%)
Cogle 15,312 (48.42%)
Columbus Council citywide District 9 runoff election results
The runoff for the citywide District 9 seat on Columbus Council is between dentist Cathy Cook, who received 37% of the initial round of votes among four candidates, and Ankerpak owner John Anker, the incumbent who received 35%.
Both candidates ran in the special election to complete the late Judy Thomas’ term and the regular election for the District 9 seat. The city charter requires a special election to fill the vacancy because Anker was appointed until a special election could be held and certified.
So the winner of the special election will be sworn in after the result is certified, and the winner of the regular election will be sworn in after the four-year term expires in January.
Here are the latest results from the Muscogee County Elections and Registration Office, representing the early in-person votes, the absentee votes and all 25 precincts on election day, although yet to be certified:
Regular election
Cook 18,674 (59.89%)
Anker 12,506 (40.11%)
Special election
Cook 18,780 (60.21%)
Anker 12,411 (39.79%)
Columbus Council District 7 runoff election results
The runoff for the 10-member city council’s District 7 seat is between Dragonfly Trails executive director Becca Zajac, who received 45% of the initial round of votes among three candidates, and insurance professional Laketha Ashe, who received 38%. Cogle couldn’t run to retain this seat because she decided to run for mayor instead.
Here are the latest results from the Muscogee County Elections and Registration Office, representing the early in-person votes, the absentee votes and all 25 precincts on election day, although yet to be certified:
Zajac 1,217 (57.79%)
Ashe 889 (42.21%)
Historic ramifications of Columbus mayoral runoff election
If Hugley is elected mayor of Columbus, he would be the first Black candidate to be elected mayor in the city’s 198-year history.
A.J. McClung was considered the first Black mayor of a major Southern city when, as mayor pro tem, he served for 52 1/2 days as interim mayor of Columbus after J.R. Allen died in a plane crash in 1973.
Hugley worked 41 years for the Columbus Consolidated Government, including 20 years as city manager, before the council voted 7-3 May 27, 2025, to fire him.
If Cogle is elected, she would be the second female mayor in the city’s history, following Teresa Tomlinson (2011-19).
Cogle, owner of Crossfit CSG gym, is among the councilors who voted yes to fire Hugley.
Although the mayor of Columbus officially is nonpartisan, the Republican and Democratic parties have been involved in these campaigns.
In February, the Ledger-Enquirer reported Cogle fired her campaign manager, a self-described Christian Nationalist who worked for Republican candidates in Georgia after criticism of her choice became public.
Then in May, the L-E reported the Muscogee County Democratic Committee endorsed Hugley.
This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 7:42 PM.
