Supporters of Barbara Hoppe congratulated her for her victory in the 6th ward council race at her watch party in downtown Columbia. After hearing the final results, Hoppe said her victory shows what kind of campaign the citizens want.
“They want a campaign that’s positive and issue oriented, that respects the intelligence of the voter and respects the other candidate also,” she said.
She said during this campaign she felt like roles between her and her supporters switched.
“They came to my defense, so they were like the mother bear, and I’m the baby bear. When I represent them, I’m like the mother bear,” she said. “They’re there to hold me up and protect me and support me and vote for me.”
Hoppe hopes to continue with current work in the council, as well as increase attention to affordable housing in Columbia. But she said her first task is simpler. She will be giving her dog a bath.
“He’s been waiting, and I had to tell him ‘After Tuesday,’” she said.
This will be Hoppe’s third term as the 6th ward representative.
Columbia 6th Ward candidate Bill Tillotson lost to Hoppe, the incumbent. Tillotson and his supporters gathered at Sky Hi Grill Tuesday while they waited for the results. As numbers rolled in throughout the night, Tillotson began to anticipate losing.
“It just wasn’t meant to be. My hat's off to Barbara Hoppe. I wish her great success in her next term, Tillotson said.”
Tillotson says he doesn’t regret releasing a controversial advertisement about Hoppe.
“No, that was a very positive ad, and it was all backed up by one hundred percent facts,” he said.
Now that the election is over, Tillotson plans to continue being involved in Columbia’s Planning and Zoning Commission. He also looks forward to remaining involved in decisions that impact Columbia. He says, in three years, he may try to run again for city council.
