There were five candidates running for Eugene Mayor but it quickly came down to two. Elections results give Lucy Vinis the victory over closest competitor, Mike Clark. Early numbers showed (Tuesday) Vinis captured a majority of the votes, preventing a run-off in the general election.
Vinis celebrated with fellow Democrats at the Wild Duck in the University District in Eugene. The progressive candidate was happy with the turn-out.
Vinis: “I think that we benefited from the excitement about the Democratic Presidential run and that brought out a lot of voters and we just hope that those voters vote their way all the way down the ballot.”
Outgoing mayor Kitty Piercy endorsed Vinis. She says she’s glad to pass the torch.
Piercy: “What I know about Lucy is that she cares about the things that the city cares about. She’s very competent , she’s very smart and she really connects well with the public and I have every hope for her being a really successful mayor.”
Elections rules require 50% plus one vote to avoid a run-off election in November. Vinis says she will focus the next six months on developing relationships and preparing to hold office in January.