As of 4:45 a.m. Wednesday, incumbent Darby A Ayers-Flood had pulled ahead of challenger Mark Anderson

By Ryan Pfeil, Ashland.news

Talent Mayor Darby A Ayers-Flood had a slight lead over election challenger Mark Anderson Wednesday, with the two candidates separated by only 23 votes, according to election data on the Oregon Secretary of State’s website.

As of 4:15 a.m., Ayers-Flood had received 1,222 votes to Anderson’s 1,199, or 50.25% versus 49.3% of votes accounted, data showed.

Late Tuesday night, the results had been even closer. As of 9:30 p.m., Ayers-Flood had slightly trailed Anderson, receiving 1,037 votes, or 49.71% of the number counted. Anderson had received 1,044 votes, or 50.05%.

The four incumbent city councilors all led their respective races early Wednesday, too. Colette Paré-Miller, Position 1, led challenger Deric Manzi, with Paré-Miller receiving 1,312 votes, or 55.43% of votes counted, and Manzi receiving 1,047, or 44.23%.

David Pastizzo, Position 3, had received 1,251 votes, or 53.58% of votes counted, with challenger Kevin Zimmerer receiving 946, or 46.12%, election data showed.

Nicole Greider, Position 4, maintained a lead over challenger Philip Lanni, with Greider receiving 1,193 votes, or 51.03% of votes counted, and Lanni receiving 1,140, or 48.76%.

Eleanor Ponomareff, Position 5, led challenger Cynthia Jones, with Ponomareff receiving 1,212 votes, or 52.06% of votes counted, and Jones receiving 1,109, or 47.64%.

Email Ashland.news web editor Ryan Pfeil at [email protected].

Nov. 9, 7:50 a.m. update: Vote count updated. Original story posted at 10:49 p.m. Tuesday.