Manning City Councilwoman Diane Georgia defeated political newcomer Janice Reed Coney, winning her third term on council 128-90. Totals will be certified at 10 a.m. Thursday.
Georgia was first elected to City Council in 2006. She ran unopposed in 2010. She took the news of her victory emotionally on Tuesday, hugging many supporters at the Election Commission.One of those supporters was fellow Councilman Clayton Pack.
“I’m so proud of you,” Pack told a tearful Georgia repeatedly. “You did a wonderful job.”
Georgia was otherwise restrained regarding her win, telling The Manning Times that she “feels great.”
“It’s truly awesome,” she said.
Coney hugged Georgia and congratulated her on a good campaign.
“I’m really feeling good,” Coney said. “I always felt that my entering this race would benefit the residents of District 2 in Manning. I really believe my running was a wake-up call … that you can’t take being in office for granted, that you can’t take the voters for granted.”
“You never know when someone is going to come along and challenge you,” Coney said.
Asked if she is now done with politics, she answered, “I seriously doubt it.”
“I’ve got that taste for it now,” she said. “I think there are probably some things in that area on the horizon for me.”
