Ruth Pickering Wins Republican Nomination in Edgewood's Race for Mayor

Ruth Pickering won the Republican nomination Tuesday night by a very close margin of votes at 84-77, edging out current Mayor Mal Hellett, who was appointed to the post in January.

“Of course I am happy,” Pickering said. “Whichever way it goes, we will end up doing what is right for the borough.”

Hellett said no matter what happens, the number one concern of everyone on council is the safety of the borough’s residents.

“She won the primary and God love her, she will have another chance at being mayor,” Hellett said. “There are really no parties here when it comes to doing the right thing. There’s a good guy running on the Democratic side and we are doing a great job. I love Ruth, she is a good person and may the best person win by the vote of the people.”

Hellett said he and Pickering share a similar goal: working well with the police department.

“The most important part of this is we both have the same philosophy and passion and that’s our police department being run by Chief Bobby Payne,” Hellett said. “We were both in the same camp when he left us so for us it’s all good. We have personnel in the house to get the job done and we want or neighbors to feel safe and be safe.”

The race for mayor in Edgewood this year was spawned by the departure of former , who abruptly resigned from the post in December.

 was appointed to the position in January, causing him to resign from his former seat as a councilman and vice president. Hellett oversaw public safety as a councilman, and for him to work with Police Chief Payne as mayor.

Former , also a Republican, who served before Davin, said her prepared her to fill that role once again.

, a Democrat, also threw his hat into the race Tuesday. He ran unopposed and will face Pickering in the November election.

Results are unofficial as of Tuesday night and will be updated Wednesday. For all other local election results