South Bend’s west side will have a new person representing them on the city’s Common Council after Democratic challenger Regina Williams-Preston defeated incumbent Henry Davis Jr. in the Nov. 3 election.
Williams-Preston received 933 votes, or 62 percent, compared to Davis’ 567 votes.
“I want to make sure that we are involved — our voices are being heard in a proactive way, right from the beginning, to make sure our neighborhoods are getting developed in the way that we want to see happen,” Williams-Preston told WSBT.
Davis spent 10 years in city government, first as precinct committeeman and then as Common Councilman for the 2nd District.
“I dove into this challenge to advocate for my neighbors who wanted safer, well-resourced neighborhoods. While there are still clear obstacles facing us, we have made some strides,” he said in a statement to the media. “Together we have passed legislation to protect city workers through a whistle blower ordinance. We have created infrastructure for small businesses to thrive in the downtown area. The residents of the LaSalle Park Neighborhood are stronger in their resolve to maintain the integrity of their community. The families in the Kennedy Park Neighborhood will have improved recreational opportunities and the Martin Luther King and Charles Black community centers have received long overdue 21st Century upgrades.
”Tonight’s results do not alter the challenges that we continue to face in the 2nd District. I wish Ms. Williams-Preston the best in her leadership of 2nd District.“
In the other races in South Bend, Mayor Pete Buttigieg won a second term after receiving 8,515 votes, or 80 percent. David Varner will serve a sixth term as Common Councilman for the 6th District after he received 1,376 votes, or 58 percent.
