After a months-long campaign against fellow Democrat incumbent Brian Treece, former Missouri State Rep. Chris Kelly conceded the race for mayor of Columbia on Tuesday.
“Brian has won,” Kelly said to supporters.
Kelly gave his concession speech to supporters at Billiards on Broadway after calling Treece to congratulate him on the win. Counts Tuesday night said Treece received 10,325 votes while Kelly received 5,761.
Shortly after receiving Kelly’s concession call, Treece took to the microphone in a crowded Top Ten Wines in Columbia to announce his victory.
“I can’t thank you enough,” Treece said. “I actually had two speeches prepared for tonight. I guess I won’t be needing one of them.”
During his speech, Treece highlighted accomplishments during his first term as mayor, including appointing women to boards and commissions, reforming zoning codes and implementing tools to track city spending.
Treece wants to hire a city manager in his second term who will pick a police chief supportive of community policing. In a previous interview with KBIA, Treece highlighted the need for a sufficient number of police officers and pointed out that the city was able to hire two new police officers without raising taxes.
Kelly also wanted further implementation of community policing. In a previous interview with KBIA, he said he wants the African American community to feel the police are there to serve and protect them rather than “occupy” a space.
Along with community policing, both candidates highlighted the importance of sustainability and preserving Columbia’s environment.
Both candidates credited their previous experiences with giving them the tools to connect with Columbia residents and other stakeholders. Kelly has served eight terms in the Missouri House and also served as circuit court judge for Missouri's 13th district. Prior to his first term as mayor, Treece served on Columbia’s Historic Preservation Commission and Downtown Leadership Council.
“In Columbia we have issues with housing,” Andrew Hutchinson, a Treece supporter, said. “We have issues with low wages and the fact that Treece stood by workers and stood by the need for folks to get money in their pockets was really defining for me.”
Kelly supporter Bonnie Kelly is a retired Columbia teacher. She has known Kelly since the early 1970s and taught his children at Grant Elementary School.
“He’s honest, and in this day and age in politics, he’s a rare bird,” Epps said.
Kelly said that at 72 years old he will be ending his career to spend more time with family and friends.
Treece will transition into his second term as mayor this month.
