Jordan Re-Elected, Plans to Foster Relationship With UA
Concluding a hotly contested mayoral race in Fayetteville, incumbent Mayor Lioneld Jordan was elected for another term last night, defeating opponent and former mayor, Dan Coody, for a second time.
Jordan won in a landslide, winning 62 percent of the vote, compared to Coody’s 38 percent.
Photo by Miranda Campbell.
Watch party goers for both candidates were anxious to know the results, attendees at both parties said.
Mayor Jordan entered Mexico Viejo with the sound of applause from more than 100 supporters.
“I am very excited right now–the early voting has come in and we’re ahead,” Jordan said. “Of course that’s always a great feeling–you put a lot of work into a campaign and when the results come back you’re excited.”
Dan Coody stayed busy at Café Fresco between the press and about 50 supporters while awaiting results. The environment was laid back, but positive.
“The race is 50/50,” Coody said. “If I lose tonight I won’t run for public office again.”
Sustainability won’t receive the attention it deserves if Jordan remains Mayor, Coody said.
“Fayetteville was once a leader in sustainability nationally–now it is not even the leader regionally. Fayetteville is not focusing on the arts and music either,” Coody said. “It is time for my wife and I to focus on making the world a better place in different ways.”
The campaign has been a team effort, Jordan said.
“These are volunteer, folks who have worked on the campaign,” Jordan said. “They have worked really really hard. There is one thing that you learn–you can not do anything alone. We work as a team and a family. It’s just a real great group of folks to work with.”
Paula Marinone, a supporter and member of Jordan’s campaign committee was at the watch party to support the mayor and be with friends, she said.
“We kind of wanted some place where it could just be us,” Mariononi said. “We’ve really worked closely on this. A lot of friendships have been made with people just pitching in what they can and we wanted to continue that camaraderie and be here for Lioneld and all his supporters.”
“I think Fayetteville is a great place to live and someone with Dan’s vision is an exciting opportunity for the city,” Payton said. “I like the improvements to the city he made when he was mayor and there is a lot more he can do to help us.”
Lioneld Jordan ran against Dan Coody, the incumbent, in 2008, unseating Coody who was mayor from 2001 to 2008.
Jordan will continue to foster a beneficial relationship between the city and the university, he said.
“We have a great relationship with the UA as it is, but now with the town and gown committee,” Jordan said. “We’ve pulled seven representatives from the UA and seven citizens and city members–so we’ve got 21 members there to discuss how we can foster city growth together. I think we are really going to enhance and advance the UA.”
Jordan plans to continue sustainability efforts, he said.
“I have always been a strong supporter of sustainability ,” Jordan said. “What we’re looking at right now is a connection with Fort Smith–which is huge–if you look at water trafficking up the Arkansas river from New Orleans to Fort Smith. That cuts back on CO2 emissions from the trucking industry.”
Contributing Reporting from Clint Wray and Mason Carr and Greg Tavarez
