Two Lebanon city council seats decided

• Strong turnout with only two contested races for Lebanon city council

Wilson County residents on Tuesday cast ballots for two Lebanon City Council races, as well as constitutional amendments, efforts that led to a heavy turnout at some of the area’s 18 voting centers.

More than 44,800 voted in Wilson County, just under 44% of 102,000 registered voters. More than 24,300 voted early or by absentee ballot, while more than 20,400 voted on Election Day.

At 8 p.m., there were still voters in line to cast ballots, according to the Wilson County Election Commission. Lakeview Elementary, Maple Hill Church of Christ, Charlie Daniels Community Center, Gladeville Community Center and Saint Stephen Catholic Community were among areas with a heavier turnout.

Lebanon

Ward 3: Incumbent Camille Burdine won a second term in a close race against Shawn Hicks (535-444). Burdine ran on a platform of economic development, which included recruiting desirable businesses, supporting local business and recruiting companies that pay higher wages. Revitalizing downtown, proper zoning and managing growth were also campaign priorities.

“I think being active in the community and honestly listening to my constituents as well as the city as a whole made the difference,” Burdine said. “Most of all I think voters want to see action and hard work instead of talk.”

Hicks has been active in city politics with wife Lorrie Hicks who has a “Sunny Lebanon” Facebook page that reports on local happenings.

Ward 6: Phil Morehead defeated ZaBrina Seay in Lebanon’s Ward 6 (1,689-414).

Morehead was a first-time candidate who went to each Ward 6 neighborhood to meet with voters in a concentrated effort to be as visible as possible.

“I think they were just happy to have someone willing to listen,” Morehead said.

Morehead has advocated for standards that bring more high-quality home construction, while focusing on high-level industry and business recruitment to attract incomes that will allow more residents to afford higher-quality homes. Attracting nice restaurants and better parks are also priorities.