Pat Fowler won Tuesday’s election to become Columbia’s next First Ward City Council member. According to the Boone County clerk, Fowler received 68.94% of votes with 657. Mark Anderson was in second place with 244 votes, and Greg Pierson finished with 52.
Fowler is a long-time activist in the community. Since 2003, she’s been heavily involved in city affairs.
“I want to strive to do the best job possible, and I want to take what I’ve already learned about how city processes work and use that so that I’m entering what I call the middle of the conversation, and not the beginning,” Fowler said.
The election was originally set to take place on April 7. Due to the pandemic, it was pushed back to June 2. Fowler says campaigning in this way was a challenge, but her campaign was able to find solutions.
“Wearing masks, we had gloves, we went to each door and hung that door hanger. If someone was present, we backed away and talked to them,” Fowler said.
Current First Ward City Councilmember Clyde Ruffin did not run for re-election. Fowler is set to be sworn in on June 15 at the Daniel Boone City Building.
“I appreciate how many people were encouraging to me, helpful to me, and willing to invest their time and resources in me. Not only during this race, but during my time in the community,” Fowler said.