All seven precincts have reported in the race for Cottage Grove City Council. Cottage Grove is looking to fill three city council seats as well as the mayoral seat.
All results are unofficial until they are certified by local boards of elections. This year, many counties may have a backlog of absentee ballots to count, so complete results could be delayed. Also, state officials plan to count all ballots postmarked by Election Day but received later. Those have yet to be counted, and they may be subject to a court challenge.
Myron Bailey is currently leading the polls for mayor. Myron is running unopposed and received 96.68 percent of the votes counted so far.
Justin Olsen currently has the highest percent of votes for city council at 41.58 percent. He has served on the council for nine years on top of Volunteer Public Safety Health and Welfare Commissioner for four years. Olsen said he wants to increase the city’s tax base, create more living wage jobs and improve infrastructure for the community’s long-term prosperity. Olsen also plans to execute effective management of the city’s natural resources to ensure the public health.
La Rae Mills has 32.43 percent of the votes. She has been a resident of Cottage Grove for 18 years and has served as a pastor, teacher and trainer. Mills said she wants to decrease the city’s tax rate and work on water contamination issues. She also plans to promote a racially diverse workplace by hiring and finding workable solutions for the community
Nick Cauthen currently has 25.01 percent of the votes for city council. Cauthen said one of his top priorities is lessening the tax burden on families and being an advocate for the community. He also aims to build a stronger business community within Cottage Grove.