BELLA VISTA, Ark. — The Ward 1 Position 1 race is headed to a runoff between incumbent Jerry Snow and Travis Harp. However, in a decision Friday, Snow has decided he wants to drop out and endorse his challenger.
Snow has served three terms on the Bella Vista City Council and one term on the Benton County Quorum Court.
"I wanted to continue to help the people of Bella Vista," Snow said. "We're supposed to represent and help our constituents, help the people with problems that they've gotten."
He said his decision wasn't an easy one, and that he was ready to run in the election, but something changed for him.
"After weighing the situation a number of times and visiting with family and with supporters, I think we all agree that that would be the best for everybody involved," Snow said. "It was in the best interest of the city, is that I drop out now because I think highly of my opponent. I think Travis harp is an outstanding young man. I think he'd make an excellent asset to the city of Bella Vista."
While Snow wants to drop out of the race, it's actually not that easy and he'll still be on the ballot for the runoff race. He would've had to drop out much earlier in the election process.
"We don't do anything different. The name will still appear on the ballot, and we will certify the election as the results happen to be. If that candidate chooses not to move forward with that, then that is entirely up to them. But that doesn't just automatically make the other candidate a winner either," Benton County Election Coordinator Kim Dennison said. "That can only happen prior to the county clerk certifying those names to us after the filing process, which happened back in August."
So instead, Snow decided to endorse and encourage his supporters to vote for Harp. Snow could technically still win, however.
"If I were to win re-election, then I would have to refute, not take the oath of office and submit a resignation that would cost the city another special election, which would cost the city considerable amount," Snow said.
Harp, a lifelong Northwest Arkansas resident, is a veteran and has spent 15 years in the fire and EMS sector. He and his family moved to Bella Vista two years ago.
"The demographics here in Bella Vista are changing, and I think that our representation should too," Harp said. "Truly taking a proactive and energetic approach to being a city council member is kind of a goal of mine."
He commended Snow for his work as a city council member and he said he knows this wasn't an easy decision.
"In a leadership position, we are often faced with hard decisions, and I can't imagine how hard this decision was for him, and he reminded me, and I respect this, and I'll never forget it, that this decision is not about him, it's about the citizens of Bella Vista," Harp said. "I have big shoes to fill, and I promise to be a good representative for the citizens of Bella Vista."
Harp is looking to manage the way Bella Vista is growing and put an emphasis on the first responders in the city.
"Supporting small businesses and encouraging, you know, just people to come and set up shop here, that way we could capitalize on or that way we could ensure that we capture some more of the sales tax revenue," Harp said. "I believe that the public safety professionals are the backbone of our city, and so I will do everything I can to advocate for them that they're well taken care of, whether it be in compensation or benefits."
Early voting begins Nov. 26-Nov.27 and picks back up Nov. 29. and Dec. 2. at the Benton County Election Commission Office and the county clerk's office in Bentonville and Siloam Springs. Election Day is Dec. 3 and all polling sites in districts with run offs will be open.
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.