By JONATHAN FELDMAN
Leader staff writer
The runoff for the Cabot Ward 3, Pos. 1 alderman race will be between Richard Cannon and Angie Armstrong Hoschouer on Tuesday, Nov. 23. The runoff will determine who will fill the vacating seat of Alderman Tom Armstrong, Hoschouer’s father.
Wendell Gibson appeared to be in second place on Election Day, but he wound up six votes behind Hoschouer.
Lonoke County election commissioner Juanita Horn said the machine that counts absentee ballots was broken on Election Day. The machine was repaired the next day, and approximately 369 ballots were tallied, Horn said.
All votes have now been counted, except for a few military absentee ballots, not enough to change the outcome of the race.
Final results showed Cannon received 1,586 votes, Hoschouer had 1,498 and Wendell Gibson 1,492.
Hoschouer learned of her change of fortune Monday night from Lonoke County Clerk Dawn Porterfield.
The vote will be certified Wednesday, Horn said.
Gibson characterized the Lonoke County Election Commission’s performance as unprofessional.
He said he and a former election commissioner found an overlooked voting machine that had not been counted when they went to review the recounting process Nov. 3.
Gibson has endorsed Hoschouer. “I think she shares a lot of the same values as me. She’s been in Cabot a long time,” he said.
“He’s a really great guy who would have made a great alderman,” Hoschouer said of Gisbon.
“The Gibsons have offered to help put campaign signs out for me,” she added.
“I’m just trying to get the word out that I’m in the race since there was so much confusion,” she said.
Hoschouer said her campaigning will be limited because her father’s health is deteriorating. She was with him Friday at UAMS in Little Rock, where he is being treated for cancer. She expects he will soon be sent home for hospice.
Cannon has stepped up his campaign. He said he is trying to “meet as many people as possible and asking for their support while also asking what they are concerned about.
“I have placed ads in local newspapers as well as signs around the city. I want everyone to know that they can vote in this runoff election even if they do not reside in my ward,” Cannon added.
“I will represent all the citizens equally. I have over 31 years of business experience. I have previously served in a city council capacity and have also acted as liaison between the city and a military installation,” he said.
Hoschouer works for National Agents Alliance, a mortgage in-surance company.
Cannon is president of Coulson Oil’s transportation division and director of safety.
