Final unofficial: Hastings wins mayor's race WATCH THE VIDEO
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B Final unofficial polling results show that Republican Drew Hastings has won the race for Hillsboro mayor. With all five Hillsboro precincts reporting, with absentee votes added in, Hastings received 1,008 votes, while Independent candidate John Levo received 614 votes.
Hastings did not immeidately return calls from The Highland County Press seeking comment.
Speaking to "Chief" Jim Winner on the Tech-T Productions live public access broadcast of election results, Hastings said that he found the campaign process to be "humbling" and that he he is serious about being elected to the office.
"I found, more so than anything else, the act of running for political office to be very humbling," Hastings said. "I am honored to have won this, and I'm really looking forward to bringing everyone together now."
Hastings said that he looks forward to working with the Hillsboro City Council, Highland County, and making a smooth transition with the current administration.
"I'm one of those guys, let's roll up your sleeves and let's get to work," Hastings said. "I think there was a tendency for people, for a certain segment of voters of the population, to think that I somehow did not take this as seriously as they thought it would be taken. I'm very serious about this. There's no question, it's the most important job I've ever undertaken in my life. Between now and January, I will work on putting together a very competent, very professional transition team and administrative team."
Change was a word that was used a lot during the campaign, Hastings said, and now it's up to Hillsboro residents to let him know just how much change they are looking for.
"People voted for me because they wanted some change," Hastings said. "They felt we could do better in Hillsboro. Now, my job for the next couple of months, I want to go out, talk to voters, and ask, 'How much change do you want? What do you want from me?' I want to feel the pulse of where this community wants me to lead them, then I will get us from there."
Incumbent Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink did not seek a third term in office. Hastings will be sworn in to the office in January.
Steve Witham, of the Highland County Board of Elections said that absentees accounted for approximately 8 percent of the votes. The absentee ballots were added in two separate batches Tuesday night, one for paper ballots and one for touch-screen machines. There are 234 provisional ballots that will be added in during the official count, which takes place 10 days after the general election.
Levo conceded at approximately 9:15 p.m. Tuesday, when all five precincts had been counted, with only the absentees left.
"Thanks to those of you who supported my efforts to become the mayor of Hillsboro. I really appreciate your support and friendship. However, the voters have spoken and we have to move on. Although I drew the short straw, I still feel I won because I gave over 400 people a choice. Now we just have to support the new administration. My biggest shock is that only 1,200 people took the time to cast a ballot. That is a shame."
During his campaign Hastings said that Hillsboro needs strong leadership to help it get back on track.
"I don't believe the wheel is broken," Hastings said. "I don't think we need to reinvent the wheel in Hillsboro, I think we have some bent spokes that need fixed. I think we need to get some more air back in the tire to get it rolling. I don't think anything radical is needed. I think some common sense, and I think leadership, is what we need. I think there's been a lot of reacting over the years. I think Hillsboro, to a large degree, has been run a certain way for a number of years. I think it's time for a fresh look at it. What I bring is leadership and vision. I have spent the last two years preparing for this and trying to get momentum in Hillsboro."
Prior to the May primary election, Hastings said that he is the sort of person who likes to see results.
"I think the results speak for themselves. I am very results-oriented. I have a very strong work ethic. That makes up for a lot of things. I tend to be creative and think a little bit outside of the box, so I can look at something from a fresh angle," Hastings said.
Levo had said that his motivation to run for the office came down to "Three simple words: I love Hillsboro," Levo said. "I love its people," with a campaign slogan of "Bring pride and prosperity back to Hillsboro."
Brandy ChandlerManaging Editor and Editor of online content creation and development
Final unofficial polling results show that Republican Drew Hastings has won the race for Hillsboro mayor. With all five Hillsboro precincts reporting, with absentee votes added in, Hastings received 1,008 votes, while Independent candidate John Levo received 614 votes.
Final unofficial polling results show that Republican Drew Hastings has won the race for Hillsboro mayor. With all five Hillsboro precincts reporting, with absentee votes added in, Hastings received 1,008 votes, while Independent candidate John Levo received 614 votes.
Hastings did not immediately return calls from The Highland County Press seeking comment.
Speaking to "Chief" Jim Winner on the Tech-T Productions live public access broadcast of election results, Hastings said that he found the campaign process to be "humbling" and that he he is serious about being elected to the office.
"I found, more so than anything else, the act of running for political office to be very humbling," Hastings said. "I am honored to have won this, and I'm really looking forward to bringing everyone together now."
Hastings said that he looks forward to working with the Hillsboro City Council, Highland County, and making a smooth transition with the current administration.
"I'm one of those guys, let's roll up your sleeves and let's get to work," Hastings said. "I think there was a tendency for people, for a certain segment of voters of the population, to think that I somehow did not take this as seriously as they thought it would be taken. I'm very serious about this. There's no question, it's the most important job I've ever undertaken in my life. Between now and January, I will work on putting together a very competent, very professional transition team and administrative team."
Change was a word that was used a lot during the campaign, Hastings said, and now it's up to Hillsboro residents to let him know just how much change they are looking for.
"People voted for me because they wanted some change," Hastings said. "They felt we could do better in Hillsboro. Now, my job for the next couple of months, I want to go out, talk to voters, and ask, 'How much change do you want? What do you want from me?' I want to feel the pulse of where this community wants me to lead them, then I will get us from there."
Incumbent Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink did not seek a third term in office. Hastings will be sworn in to the office in January.
Steve Witham, of the Highland County Board of Elections said that absentees accounted for approximately 8 percent of the votes. The absentee ballots were added in two separate batches Tuesday night, one for paper ballots and one for touch-screen machines. There are 234 provisional ballots that will be added in during the official count, which takes place 10 days after the general election.
Levo conceded at approximately 9:15 p.m. Tuesday, when all five precincts had been counted, with only the absentees left.
"Thanks to those of you who supported my efforts to become the mayor of Hillsboro. I really appreciate your support and friendship. However, the voters have spoken and we have to move on. Although I drew the short straw, I still feel I won because I gave over 400 people a choice. Now we just have to support the new administration. My biggest shock is that only 1,200 people took the time to cast a ballot. That is a shame."
During his campaign Hastings said that Hillsboro needs strong leadership to help it get back on track.
"I don't believe the wheel is broken," Hastings said. "I don't think we need to reinvent the wheel in Hillsboro, I think we have some bent spokes that need fixed. I think we need to get some more air back in the tire to get it rolling. I don't think anything radical is needed. I think some common sense, and I think leadership, is what we need. I think there's been a lot of reacting over the years. I think Hillsboro, to a large degree, has been run a certain way for a number of years. I think it's time for a fresh look at it. What I bring is leadership and vision. I have spent the last two years preparing for this and trying to get momentum in Hillsboro."
Prior to the May primary election, Hastings said that he is the sort of person who likes to see results.
"I think the results speak for themselves. I am very results-oriented. I have a very strong work ethic. That makes up for a lot of things. I tend to be creative and think a little bit outside of the box, so I can look at something from a fresh angle," Hastings said.
Levo had said that his motivation to run for the office came down to "Three simple words: I love Hillsboro," Levo said. "I love its people," with a campaign slogan of "Bring pride and prosperity back to Hillsboro."
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