Kolby Urban will soon make the St. Cloud City Council a five-member board after winning Tuesday's special election to fill the Seat 3 of Chuck Cooper, who passed away this summer.
Urban, a housing contractor who sits on St. Cloud's Economic Advisory committee, won the race with 2,987 votes, or 63.4 percent, over local businessman and non-profit charity leader Jose Martinez (1,721 votes, 36.6 percent).
"I started getting a little nervous about the results later in the day, but the margin and the overwhelming support have been a surprise to me," Urban said. "I couldn't be more happy for our supporters. Hope to make all of St. Cloud proud of me."
Urban ran for the same seat last year against Cooper, the incumbent.
"Last year was definitely a learning experience," Urban said. "These are unfortunate circumstances, and I know I have big shoes to fill, but I look forward to being a council member for all of St. Cloud. I can't wait to get started right away."
The City Council's next meeting is Nov. 18.
Martinez, who gained 500 votes from October's primary election despite there only being 300 more votes cast Tuesday (4,416 to 4,708, a 12 percent voter turnout), said he felt like he got his name and message out into the public, and said he "feels good" about going through the candidate process for the first time.
"I congratulated Kolby, he deserves the support of all of us," Martinez said. "I offered my help. I'm really optimistic for St. Cloud going forward.
"Now I have a better idea of the issues the city, and learning what the city really needs has been a positive. Now I'm engaged more and feel like I can help carry out the change."
This process will begin again in a year, or less. Two other City Council seats will be up for election in 2022.
