Anderson, Sanford in runoff for mayor

Sheffield - Incumbent Mayor Billy Don Anderson and former mayor Ian Sanford are heading for an Oct. 7 runoff after a race that left the candidates separated by a mere dozen votes.

While votes totals will remain unofficial until they are certified, Sanford received 862 votes Tuesday to Anderson's 850, including absentee ballots.

Newcomer Steve Price received 428 votes, which will now be sought by Anderson and Sanford during the next six weeks.

Neither Anderson nor Sanford expressed surprise by the results.

Anderson held a 13-vote lead over Sanford after the city's five boxes were tallied, but ended up trailing Sanford by 12 votes after the absentee ballots were counted.

"I would just personally say that I'm not surprised when you have three candidates working real hard for the same post," Anderson said. "It makes it difficult to achieve a clear majority."

Anderson said he has been doing his best to campaign while carrying out his duties as mayor.

"What we'll do is continue to work hard to get our message out so people will understand what we have achieved and what we've got in place."

Anderson added that he will have to work harder to be more effective in getting that message across to the voters.

Sanford, who defeated Anderson in a runoff election eight years ago, said he knew it would be a hotly contested race.

"I'm pleased with the results," Sanford said. "I appreciate the supporters that came out."

Sanford served two terms as mayor from 1996 to 2004, but decided against running for a third term.

He said the time off allowed him to put things into perspective.

"I have a renewed spirit," Sanford said. "I'm enthusiastic, rested and ready."

Sanford said he will spend the next six weeks continuing to get his message to the residents of Sheffield.

"I appreciate my family and friends who have put up with me and helped me get to this point," Sanford said.

So tight was the race that only one vote separated the two candidates at the Shefffield Board of Education, which is the home box for both candidates.

Sanford won three of the city's five boxes.

Price said he was disappointed in the results of his first foray into politics.

"I appreciate the people that voted for me and the support I got," Price said. "God bless 'em."

Despite the outcome of the race, Price said he would continue to remain active in the community.

Sheffield City Clerk Clayton Kelly said the election results would remain unofficial until the votes are canvassed at noon Tuesday.

Kelly said there are 5,881 registered voters in Sheffield but only 2,091 votes were cast in Tuesday's election. That total does not include absentee ballots.

Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@TimesDaily.com.