Deceased man wins city council race

Deceased man wins city council race

Not injured.

Local elections were on tuesday, and among the winners and losers was something that doesn't happen very often.

A deceased candidate won a city council race.

Waay 31's will robinson-smith went to bridgeport to learn more about the winner and what the future holds for the seat he was re- elected to.

Hovering near the tennessee border near the river -- more than 500 people turned out to vote in tuesday's muncipal election.

As was the case with other races -- the incumbent won the distirct five seat on the bridgeport city council.

However -- thomas wayne crabtree died almost a month before the votes were counted.

Barry hughes, bridgeport city council president we've had city councilmen who've passed away while in office, but never while we were running for a position.

Barry hughes is the council president in bridgeport and also won his race on tuesday.

He served during the eight years that crabtree was on council and says his loss was devastating.

Barry hughes, bridgeport city council president it just puts a hole in your heart because we were so close and we knew the family.

We knew his wife.

We knew wayne real well.

A loving guy, a loving family.

As a retired electrician from the tennessee valley authority -- crabtree did some electrical work around the city -- including the outdoor stage area downtown.

Hughes says the fact that he won -- even though he couldn't serve his term -- didn't shock him.

Barry hughes, bridgeport city council president i wouldn't say that i was surprised because he was a very liked person.

He had a lot of support.

Will robinson-smith beyond his work as a city council member, hughes says crabtree will also be remembered for his work with the public library.

In fact, at his funeral, his family requested that instead of sending them flowers, that they make donations, in his name, to the library instead.

At this point -- hughes says the council and mayor will appoint someone to fill crabtree's seat -- both for the rest of his current term and the term he just won.

He says crabtree's wife -- aldonna -- will likely be the one appointed.

Barry hughes, bridgeport city council president she made a comment that if her husband were to win the ticket again that she would like to serve, if given the chance.

One person who spoke with waay 31 off camera says he thought after crabtree passed -- his name should've been removed from the ballot and that the seat should go to crabtree's challenger -- former councilman leon dave.

However -- hughes says at the point crabtree passed away -- it was too late to remove him from the ballot.

Reporting in bridgeport -- will robinson-smith -- waay 31 news.