The Marathon City Council will see incumbent Kenny Matlock return to the dais along with newcomer Jody “Lynny” Del Gaizo, as the pair earned the two open seats with significant margins on Tuesday night.
Running his campaign largely around calls for slowing growth within the city from large developers, Matlock finished the evening as the top vote-getter, capturing 2,057 votes (31.94%).
“Thank you to the residents of Marathon for giving me the opportunity to continue serving and representing what’s important to our locals in this community,” he told the Weekly by phone Wednesday morning.
Del Gaizo finished just behind Matlock, earning 28.97% of the vote with a total of 1,866. Speaking to the Weekly on election night and again by phone the next morning, she said she was “surprised, excited and humbled” to earn the seat.
Following a 2021 election bid that saw her finish as the top runner-up, and a subsequent council appointment in early 2022 that went to now-Mayor Robyn Still in a coin flip decision, Del Gaizo called the result a “redemption” that reaffirmed her belief in her work within the city over the past two years.
“I’ve worked hard, and it’s very validating to see that the people of Marathon have clearly taken notice,” she said. “I love my community and the people in it.”
Former three-term councilman Mark Senmartin finished in third place with 1,326 votes (20.59%) followed by Ray Wood with 1,192 (18.51%).
“Thank you to everyone who supported me on this journey. Though the outcome wasn’t what we’d hoped for, I’m incredibly proud of the campaign we ran — one rooted in respect, integrity and a commitment to our community,” Senmartin said. “Elections are an opportunity to share ideas and advocate for a vision, and I’m grateful for the conversations we sparked and the connections we made.”
“I had a great time and enjoyed every second,” said Wood. “The people of Marathon are amazing.”
Vote totals for former candidate Dustin Huff, who was closely linked to Matlock’s campaign before his withdrawal in early October, were discarded and will not be counted or publicly available, Supervisor of Elections Joyce Griffin told the Weekly. Though Huff’s name remained on the Nov. 5 ballot, including for some mail-in voters who may have selected him before his withdrawal, voters visiting the polls in person on Tuesday were informed of his decision.
The new council will be seated at the Marathon City Council’s regularly-scheduled session on Tuesday, Nov. 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
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