Three key Blytheville races are going into overtime.
Blytheville mayor and the City Council's Ward 1 and Ward 3 seats are headed to runoffs, according to unofficial midterm election numbers from Tuesday night.
Local businessman Tommy Abbott and Sheriff James Sanders will be in the runoff for Blytheville mayor. Abbott received under the required 50 percent plus 1, getting 1,741 votes, or 45.36 percent.
Sanders had the second most votes in the four-person race with 1,412, or 36.79 percent.
Councilwoman Carol White received 641 votes (16.70 percent), while Councilman R.L. Jones, who dropped out of the race last month, received the other 44 votes (1.15 percent).
In Ward 1, Vera James and Stan Parks will be in the runoff, while Ward 3 will consider John Musgraves and Joe Lewis in the runoff. Only 17 votes separated Musgraves and Lewis.
Missy Langston won the Ward 2 seat, defeating Dale Hinson, 786 (54.17) to 665 (45.83).
Meanwhile, the Blytheville mayoral race will be decided in the Nov. 22 runoff. Either Abbott or Sanders will replace three-term mayor Barrett Harrison.
"I think our chances are good," Abbott said. "We won this one (got the most votes). The key is going to be getting people out to vote."
Abbott said his campaign will continue to work hard.
"I'm calling out the troops right now," he said. "We've got to work hard. We've worked hard for 6 1/2 months. We've got another three weeks in us."
Sanders said his campaign will not change any strategy.
"We've run a clean race and that's what we'll continue to do," Sanders said. "We're going to discuss issues and present ourselves in our best light. All we can do is to discuss the issues and to show the people who we are and the reason that we're running and let them make their decision."
He added: "We're going to complete this race with fairness, integrity and respect."
A defeated White thanked her supporters for their efforts during her bid to become mayor.
"I think they did an excellent job," White said of her supporters. "I think my supporters did more than they thought they could. I question the result."
She did see a positive from the election.
"I thank those who came out and supported me," White said. "I feel very good that there have been more people involved in the political process than in the past. I think that's a very good thing."
Meanwhile, in Ward 1, James received the most votes -- 455 -- getting 34.13 percent in a tight five-person race. Parks received 364 votes (27.31 percent) to make the runoff. Scott Edwards received 212 (15.90 percent), Louise Heard 159 (11.93), and Shirley Watson 143 (10.73).
In Ward 3, Musgraves owned the most votes with 231( 25.85 percent). Lewis was just behind him with 214 (23.94 percent). Howard Smith III had 171 votes (19.31 percent); Henry Mays Sr., 157 votes (17.56 percent); and Dwayne Culp, 121 votes (13.53 percent).
There will also be a runoff for Blytheville City Treasurer. Burton Furlow received 1,066 votes while Gary Perry received 1,199. James C. Gregory received 396 votes and Terry Hollingsead received 785.
Connie Mosley was elected as Blytheville city clerk, topping Nina Watson. The vote count was 2,103-1,344.
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com