Published: May 27, 2009 08:51 pm      

Recently-departed Rash only candidate for Anawalt mayor

ANAWALT — The name of the mayor of a small McDowell County town who passed away last week will remain on the June 9 ballot, according to election officials.

Anawalt Mayor Eva Sue Rash, who passed away on Monday, May 18, was the only candidate for mayor on the town’s June 9 ballot. Because early voting in the town was already underway at the time of her death, the mayor’s name will remain on the ballot, Frank Kapish, an election official with the office of McDowell County Circuit Court Clerk Don Hicks, said.

“What they will do is since there was no one else on the ballot, they will go through with the election, and then after the election, whoever is elected to town council or city council will appoint a mayor and vote on it,” Kapish said. “So it is up to town council to appoint someone.”

Rash had served as mayor of Anawalt for 10 years. Kapish said early voting was already underway in the town at the time of her death. As a result, the town election ballots can’t be changed.

Kapish said the Anawalt Town Council will most likely appoint a new mayor at its first meeting after the June 9 election.

“They have already contacted the secretary of state’s office,” Kapish said.

In addition to the town of Anawalt, Kapish said the towns of Bradshaw, Davy, and Iaeger also will hold municipal elections on June 9. Kapish said the town of Kimball will hold a municipal election on July 10.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com