Franklinton Alderman Heath Spears has survived a recall attempt in Saturday’s (March 26) election.
Spears, in his second term as an alderman, defeated the recall by a 500 to 384 vote.
Organizers of the recall said Spears was no longer living within the Franklinton town limits and was ineligible to serve as an Alderman. Spears said he had temporarily moved out of the town limits because his home was damaged by fire. He has said that he currently resides within Franklinton.
Turnout in the election was 41%, with 884 of Franklinton's 2,145 registered voters casting ballots.
The vote totals Saturday by precinct in Franklinton were as follows:
Precinct For Recall Against Recall
3-1 9 119
3-2 239 54
3-3 2 28
Early Votes134 299
Total 384 500
The recall election was the only item on the March 26 ballot, and the only voters who could participate were those who lived within the Town of Franklinton.
With the defeat of the recall, Spears retains his seat on the Board of Aldermen. He and the other four aldermen and Mayor Greg Route will next be up for election in the fall of 2024.
Spears, Seth Descant, and Darwin Sharp are the three Republicans on the Board of Aldermen, while Patrice Crain and T.J. Butler Jr. are the two Democrats. Mayor Greg Route is also a Democrat.
