Hensley elected Jefferson City Ward 5 councilman

Jon Hensley
Jon Hensley

Jon Hensley is the new Jefferson City councilman for Ward 5.

In unofficial results, Hensley received 45.92 percent of votes, defeating candidates Jim Crabtree - 29.61 percent - and Ashley Jones-Kaufman - 24.03 percent.

"I'm thrilled with the results, and I'm excited to get to work," Hensley said Tuesday night.

Some of Hensley's campaign issues were creating a career development corridor and addressing stormwater, code enforcement and affordable housing.

"These were the common concerns voiced by so many people I spoke with in all corners of our ward," he said. "As their newest elected official, it's my responsibility now to start addressing those issues."

Crabtree said while he was slightly disappointed, he thinks Hensley will do well on the City Council.

"I think the voters made their choice, and I'm confident Jon will do a good job," Crabtree said Tuesday night. "It was an eye-opening experience for me because I've never done this before, and I really enjoyed knocking on doors and meeting people and hearing what their concerns are. I think it changed a lot of my pre-conceived thoughts on what the voters may want or need."

Jones-Kaufman said "it's not really a shock" for her, adding it was a learning experience and wishing Hensley the best moving forward.

"It is what it is," she said. "I believe this was a good learning experience for all and in the end, progress is made slowly. I think as of now, it's business as usual for Jefferson City and progress takes time."

Jones-Kaufman's campaign slogan was "Let's Make History," stating multiple times a black woman has never been elected to the City Council.

Ward 5 Councilman Larry Henry announced in December he would not seek re-election for his final two-year term due to his professional career expanding.

The unopposed candidates and their unofficial vote totals include:

Rick Prather, Ward 1: 422 votes of 433 (97.46 percent)

Rick Mihalevich, Ward 2: 336 votes of 350 (96 percent)

Erin Wiseman, Ward 3: 685 votes of 699 (98 percent)

Ron Fitzwater, Ward 4: 680 votes of 694 (97.98 percent)

Jefferson City residents also voted to dissolve the city's Firemen's Pension Board and Firemen's Pension Fund 81.63 percent to 18.37 percent Tuesday night.

The board used to manage the Firefighter's Pension Plan before it was transferred to the Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System (LAGERS). Since the last group of firefighters was transferred to LAGERS in 2017, the nine-member board no longer has members or money. It stopped meeting, as there is zero business to take up.

Board President Kevin Bagby told the News Tribune last month dissolving the board will not impact new, current or former firefighters' retirements.

See also:

Boone County election results

Callaway County election results

Cole County election results

Maries County election results

Miller County election results

Moniteau County election results

Osage County election results