Williams Beats Incumbent Dawson to Become Sedalia’s First Black Mayor
With voter turnout just under 22 percent, political newcomer Traves K. Williams ousted incumbent Andrew Dawson to become Sedalia’s next mayor by a margin of 63.91% to 35.71 %, or 2,015 to 1,126.
There were a total of 12 write-in votes for mayor.
Williams recently resigned his position after working for over 30 years for the City of Sedalia. And now he will be sworn in as Sedalia’s first black mayor April 20.
In a facebook post on his campaign page, Williams said:
“I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust the people of Sedalia have placed in me by electing me as your next Mayor. Thank you to everyone who voted, volunteered, encouraged me, and shared in this journey. I’m grateful for your support and your belief in the future of our city.
This election was about our shared desire to move forward and the people spoke loud and clear. Whether you supported me or not, I want you to know that I will be a Mayor for all of Sedalia. My door will always be open, and I am committed to listening and working alongside our entire community.
I also want to extend my sincere thanks to Mayor Andrew Dawson for his service to Sedalia. I wish him and his family nothing but the best moving forward.
Sedalia’s strength has always been its people. Together, we can build on our rich history and continue making Sedalia a place we’re all proud to call home.
Now the real work begins. Let’s move forward, united, towards a bright future for Sedalia.” -- Traves Williams
On his personal facebook page, Andrew Dawson had the following to say on Tuesday:
“Rachel and I haven’t just watched what’s happened over the past four years, we’ve lived it.
We’ve seen good people step forward to serve this community and be torn down by a small but loud group that thrives on division, personal attacks, and manufactured outrage. And as parents, we’ve had to ask ourselves a serious question: what kind of community are we raising our children in?
That answer matters.
Right now, there are two very different paths in front of us.
One path is loud. It’s driven by personal attacks, misinformation, and the idea that the quickest way forward is to tear others down.
The other path is quieter but stronger. It’s built on service. On doing the work. On steady, responsible leadership that puts the community first, even when no one is watching.
I’ve chosen that path.
Because leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room it’s about being accountable to the people you serve.
This election is about more than a title. It’s about what kind of standard we are willing to accept moving forward. Because what we tolerate today will define who we are tomorrow.
We can disagree strongly. That’s part of a healthy community. But there is a clear line between disagreement and destruction, and too many have chosen to cross it.
I will continue to stand for a community grounded in respect, accountability, and truth because that’s the kind of place I want my children to grow up in.
Service before politics. Always.
The question is whether we, as a community, are willing to choose the same.” – Andrew Dawson
In other races, totals provided by Pettis County Election Authority Megan Page indicate that First Ward Councilman Jack Robinson beat challenger Adam Porter, 431 to 322 votes.
First Ward Councilwoman Cheryl Ames ran unopposed and garnered 95.78% of the vote, or 636. There were 28 write-in votes.
Second Ward Councilwoman Tina Boggess beat out challenger Christene Rene Meyer, 276 to 207 votes, with seven write-in candidates.
David Covington received 462 votes compared to incumbent Bob Hiller’s 295 votes to become a Third Ward Councilman. There were four write-in votes cast in that race.
Mayor Pro Tem and Fourth Ward Councilwoman Rhiannon Foster lost to challenger Spencer Redford. Redford received 591 votes to Foster’s 432 votes.
A proposition to increase taxes to fund the Pettis County Fire Protection District was successful this time. It received 1,277 yes votes and 889 no votes.
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