Azotea, Riley head to runoff as no candidate earns 50 percent of vote in 2nd Ward race for Hannibal City Council

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The race to elect the next 2nd Ward Council Member to the Hannibal City Council will end in a runoff as none of the three candidates secured at least 50 percent of the vote Tuesday night.

The city’s charter says a runoff election must be held between the two candidates who received the most votes. As of Tuesday night, April Azotea had 164 votes and Tammy Riley had 147.  Earl Hughes III secured only 14 percent of the vote will not appear on the ballot for the runoff.

The charter states the runoff election “shall be held on the second Tuesday next following such election,” which would fall on April 22.

“Special elections aren’t free. They still cost money, so it’s going to cost the city money just to have a special election,” Azotea said during a phone call with Muddy River News after results were in. “I’m just going to have to stick to the grind for another two weeks and circle back.” 

Campaigning has taken up a significant amount of Azotea’s time and energy during the last several months, but she said she’s enjoyed getting to connect with members of the community on a personal level.

“I’ve enjoyed getting the opportunity to not only meet new people but to hear from concerned citizens … and give them the opportunity to ask me any questions or concerns that they may have one on one,” she said.

Riley said she was feeling “really good” Tuesday night and was not surprised at how close the results were. When asked what her first priority would be if elected to the council, she said she was “putting the list together.”

The winner of the special election will replace longtime councilman Mike Dobson.

At a candidate forum last month, Dobson blindsided Azotea with a piece of paper from the Missouri Department of Revenue that stated the sales tax license for her business, La Azotea Lounge, had been revoked in September 2024 and questioned her trustworthiness in regards to fiscal responsibility. Azotea called the move “disrespectful, disgusting and straight despicable” and asked for his immediate removal from the council at last week’s meeting.

Azotea has been a regular attendee of City Council meetings for several years and has spoken at many of them on a variety of issues.

“I think that, regardless of if I win or not, we are headed in the right direction,” Azotea said. “If I do win, I will be looking forward to working with individuals who, just like myself, have and continuously bring good energy and all together want what is best for the community.”

Euhlan Leeders Jr. is likely to replace Charlie Phillips on the council to represent the 4th Ward after being defeated by him three years ago, when Leeders Jr. received only 22 percent of the vote. He ran unopposed this time, with the exception of write-in candidates Amy Powell and Ryan Adcock. He will secure the seat so long as he outpaces the write-ins. The total of those votes are still pending.

Phillips ran against Darrell McCoy for mayor. McCoy prevailed with more than 60% of the total vote.

Donald Bastian ran unopposed for municipal judge. He was first elected in April 2018 after he completed the term of Frederich Cruse, who retired in September 2017.