ALTON, Ill. – Incumbent David Goins was reelected to a second term as Alton mayor on Monday, winning less than 40% of the vote in a three-person race.
Just over 4,200 constituents went out and voted in the mayoral race, with Goins taking 1,656 votes, good for 39.4% in the unofficial tally. Aldermen Ray Strebel finished second with 1,348 votes, and former Mayor Brant Walker received 1,200 votes.
Goins said he inherited a $3.8 million deficit, which is now a $7.7 million surplus. He said the city’s tax rate has been reduced each year.
He said it took him about two years of his first term to get the hang of things amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but he’s proud of the economic development he’s fostered.
In a post-victory interview with FOX 2 News, Goins thanked his opponents.
“I would thank them. Because of them, they really pushed me to work hard, so that’s the thing, ya know?” he said. “A mayor’s dream is to always run unopposed. That’s the dream. But when it’s not, then you gotta grind. So, I thank them for their challenge and them pushing me.”