CORDELE —Expectations were high for the Cordele City Commission Election as three seats were up for grabs and there was no disappointment as the votes came in.

A total of six challengers threw their hats into the ring for a chance to be a part of the five person Cordele City Commission.

Jeanie Bartee in Ward 3 faced stiff competition against challenger Isaac Owens. In the Election Day voting alone from Tuesday the race was neck and neck, with Bartee gaining 115 votes to Owens 112.

A total of 36 absentee ballots and early votes were not able to turn the tide for Owens and Bartee retained her seat as the Ward 3 representative.

“The whole thing was in God’s hands,” Bartee said.

Bartee will enter her fifth term on the Cordele City Commission.

Royce Reeves Sr. said before the election he wanted another four years and his constituents granted his request on the ballot.

Reeves  led the vote for the Ward 2 following the first polls released on Tuesday night. The former Crisp County Tax Assesor Board member and Ward 2 incumbent garnered 55 percent of the vote.

After a final tabulation that included early voting, Reeves finished with 242 of the 432 votes casts for 56 percent and earning another four years.

“It feels great to know that the people still believe in me and came out and supported me. Those people believe in me and I believe in them,” Reeves said. “Four years ago they wanted a commissioner that identified with the majority of the people in second ward and that has been me.”

Reeves is a figure in the Cordele community with a few businesses and his involvement in civic organizations.

The final seat up for grabs is still yet to be determined as both Zack Wade and John Wiggins will be headed to a runoff next month as none of the Chairman candidates could gather the necessary 50 percent plus one required to win.

In voting just taking place today Wiggins took the most votes, 441, while incumbent Wade trailed by six. At the official and final tally, Wade had 491 votes and 35.7 percent while Wiggins had 461 and 33.5 percent.

“We’re going to do the best we can,” Wade said. “We’ve been in that place before.”

Wiggins says he will continue to work in the coming month utilizing his “Get on board the Progress Train” slogan.

“I’m going to be out there working hard. Cordele needs to be a city of progress and live up to its name.”