Ian Thomas re-elected to Columbia’s Fourth Ward city council seat

FINAL RESULTS:Ian Thomas has been re-elected to Columbia’s Fourth Ward city council seat.

Two longtime Columbia residents ran for the Fourth Ward city council seat. Current Fourth Ward council member Ian Thomas faced former council member Daryl Dudley. Dudley represented the Fourth Ward from 2010 to 2013 before losing to Thomas while seeking re-election.

Less than two weeks ago, Dudley suspended his campaign citing “recent distractions.” His name will still appear on Tuesday’s ballot.

Dudley has lived in Columbia for more than 20 years. He said, if elected, his first priority as a city council representative would be to work to fully fund the Columbia Police Department.

Thomas has been a resident of Columbia since 1998 and is seeking his second term in office.

He said hispublic safety, infrastructure, local economy and social equity are some of his top priorities.