(WJPF) – In the first wide-open election for Mayor in Marion since 1963, businessman Mike Absher cruised to victory with 58% of the vote. Anthony Rinella, who had been appointed Mayor since the retirement of Bob Butler, received 28%.

Elsewhere, it was largely a night for the incumbents, Mike Henry won re-election as Mayor of Carbondale. Fred Kondritz as Mayor of Benton. Tom Jordan as Mayor of West Frankfort. And John McPeek remains Mayor of Harrisburg.

In an upset, incumbent Mayor of Cairo Tyrone Coleman was defeated by challenger Thomas Simpson.

On the John A Logan College Board of Trustees, Bill Killquist and Aaron Smith were the top two vote-getters in a field of five.

In Franklin County, voters approved a 1% sales tax to fund the construction of a new courthouse.