Decatur, Alabama, September 24, 2025
News Summary
Pam Werstler has claimed victory in the runoff election for the District 4 seat on the Decatur City Council, defeating Sarah French with 62.86% of the vote. Werstler’s campaign, built on her extensive experience in human resources, resonated with voters. This runoff was necessitated due to neither candidate achieving a majority in the prior municipal election. Despite French’s challenges due to her past felony conviction, both candidates emphasized the importance of community engagement and voter participation.
Decatur, Alabama – Pam Werstler has won the runoff election for the District 4 seat on the Decatur City Council, defeating Sarah French. The election, which took place on Tuesday, saw Werstler secure 562 votes, making up 62.86% of the total, while French garnered 332 votes, or 37.14%.
This runoff was necessary as both candidates advanced from a previous municipal election but failed to achieve the majority required for an outright victory. The election results indicate a clear preference for Werstler among District 4 voters, concluding a closely watched contest.
During her campaign, Werstler highlighted her extensive professional experience and public service background. She has served on Decatur’s personnel boards and possesses over 25 years of experience in human resources, which she emphasized as vital qualifications for the role. Her focused campaign approach resonated with voters, helping her secure a decisive win in the runoff.
On the other hand, French faced scrutiny due to a felony marijuana possession conviction from 2001. This conviction was disclosed by critics in campaign materials which may have affected her standing in the election. Despite this challenge, she actively engaged with the community, encouraging locals to participate in the electoral process.
Following the announcement of the election results, French conceded via text message, expressing her faith and gratitude towards her supporters. Despite the loss, she reiterated her belief that corruption has long plagued Decatur and that she had fought for the interests of its residents throughout her campaign.
Both candidates recognized the historically low turnout in runoff elections and urged the community to participate. French had previously emphasized the importance of voting to ensure that every voice is heard in the electoral process, while Werstler reminded voters of the significance of their actions, indicating that only District 4 was involved in the runoff.
In the lead-up to the runoff, both candidates actively campaigned right up to the election day, engaging with voters on the streets to bolster support. The runoff election came after a vacancy was left by former District 4 City Councilman Hunter Pepper.
It was reported that the Alabama Attorney General’s office indicated that French was ineligible for the council position due to her felony conviction, suggesting that she may have misled voters about her past. This information added a layer of complexity to the campaign and could have influenced voter perceptions.
The local political atmosphere may continue to evolve following this election, with Werstler set to take her new role on the Decatur City Council as the community looks ahead to future governance issues.
FAQ
- Who won the runoff election for the District 4 seat on the Decatur City Council? Pam Werstler won the runoff election, defeating Sarah French.
- What were the preliminary vote totals for the candidates? Werstler obtained 562 votes (62.86%) and French received 332 votes (37.14%).
- Why was a runoff election necessary? The runoff was necessary because both candidates advanced from a previous municipal election but neither secured the majority needed for an outright win.
- What professional experience did Pam Werstler highlight during her campaign? Werstler emphasized her 25 years of experience in human resources and roles on Decatur’s personnel boards.
- What challenges did Sarah French face during her campaign? French faced scrutiny over a felony marijuana possession conviction from 2001, which was highlighted by critics.
- What was Sarah French’s message after conceding? French expressed gratitude for her supporters and her belief in fighting against corruption in Decatur.
- What did both candidates say about voter participation? Both candidates encouraged voter participation due to historically low turnout in runoff elections.
Key Features of the Election
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Winner | Pam Werstler |
| Runner-up | Sarah French |
| Vote Count | Werstler: 562 (62.86%), French: 332 (37.14%) |
| Runoff Necessity | Neither candidate secured majority in prior election |
| Key Issues Raised | Werstler’s experience, French’s felony conviction |
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Additional Resources
- Rocket City Now: Werstler Claims Victory in Decatur Dist 4 City Council Runoff
- WAFF: Decatur City Council Candidate Concedes Municipal Election
- 1819 News: Werstler Defeats French in Controversial Decatur City Council District 4 Runoff
- WHNT: Decatur Voters Decide on District 4 City Council Seat in Runoff
- Wikipedia: Decatur, Alabama
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