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Leon Childs and Quay Boddie will face off in a runoff election to fill the District 2 seat vacated by the late Councilman LeGree McCamey. Neither of the two reached the 50% needed to win outright, so both will continue on to a runoff on Dec. 6.

Childs was the top vote-getter with 897 votes with 34% of the total vote. Boddie finished second with 538 votes (21%).  Ashley Cousin was edged out with 454 votes (17.4%) followed by Maiya Dowell with 425 votes (16.3%). Israel Barsh received 290 votes (11%).

Childs was confident going into Election Day thinking he would win the race outright.

“I really thought I wouldn’t need a runoff,” Childs said. “But it was nice to win so decisively.”

Despite his confidence, Childs acknowledged that getting more than 50 percent of the vote with five candidates was a difficult task.

Childs said he plans to continue campaigning for the seat and expects to prevail in the runoff.

Boddie was happy to move on and face Childs in the runoff and was appreciative of the voters who supported him.

“I’m really appreciative just to be considered for such a position,” Boddie said.

The campaign has been a lot of blood, sweat and tears so far, but he plans to continue fighting for District 2.

“I’m a fighter and a champion by nature,” Boddie said, saying he would do whatever it takes to serve District 2.

After learning the results, Cousin said she wishes the best for both Childs and Boddie as they continue on, as well as the District 2 community that one will eventually represent.

Cousin said she plans to continue working with kids and being involved in the community.

“This is not a bad day for me,” she said acknowledging defeat, but remaining hopeful that either Childs or Boddie will serve the community well.

Dowell also offered her congratulations to the winning candidates. She said she plans to continue fighting for District 2 and working with girls and youth in the community.

Barsh said that he was not pleased with the ballot issue and will push for the accuracy of election results.

“We will continue to fight for LaGrange, fight for Troup County and continue to push excellence in the city and unity of the citizens. We’re going to continue to push forward in excellence in District 2, push forward in other races and in unifying our community,” Barsh said.