Early returns show newcomer Perry Sutton leading in Rock Hill runoff for Ward 5 seat
A newcomer has come out on top in Tuesday’s runoff election for the Rock Hill City Council seat representing Ward 5.
Youth football coach Perry Sutton unseated incumbent Nikita Jackson, who was first elected in 2017, according to unofficial election results. He has received 61% of the vote, compared to Jackson’s 39%, according to unofficial results for nine of 10 precincts reporting.
The city held elections for Council seats representing Wards 4, 5 and 6 earlier this month.
In the Feb. 8 election, Jackson, Sutton and newcomer Kenneth Harris ran to represent Ward 5, which includes East Main Street and the southern part of the city. Neither Jackson nor Sutton secured a majority, resulting in a seven-vote difference, according to official results.
The runoff race had about 11% voter turnout. There were 8,684 registered voters able to vote Tuesday, according to unofficial results.
Polls closed at 7 p.m,. and as of 9 p.m, nine of 10 precincts had reported. Official runoff results won’t be available until the York County Board of Elections certifies the votes, which is expected later this week.
Other Council seat election results
In August, Rock Hill City Council voted to delay the Ward 4, 5 and 6 elections scheduled for October so city officials could redraw its six voting districts. Redistricting is required every 10 years based on U.S. Census Bureau population data.
Incumbent John Black was re-elected to represent Ward 4, which covers the northwestern part of the city and has the largest population.
Incumbent Jim Reno ran unopposed for Ward 6, which covers Winthrop University to the Catawba River.
Unofficial results
Ward 5
- Nikita Jackson - 363 votes, 39%
- Perry Sutton - 557 votes, 61%
