Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Nov. 12, 2024 – Former Jonesboro mayoral opponent Tom Elwood announced he is endorsing Mayor Harold Copenhaver in the runoff against second-place finisher councilman LJ Bryant.
Copenhaver finished first in the general election on Nov. 5, receiving nearly 45% of the votes cast.
“I was disappointed in the negativity of Bryant’s campaign,” Elwood said. “He has been on the city council for seven years. I wasn’t on it. Harold wasn’t on it. If he wanted some of the problems, he complained about solved, he should have done it then.”
Elwood said he believes the choice is clear which candidate has the experience, knowledge and wealth of connections required for making a positive difference in Jonesboro’s future.
“Harold knows Jonesboro, he knows this community, he attended ASU — and he did a great job guiding this city in the middle of a pandemic,” Elwood said. “I don’t just think he will be a better mayor than LJ, I know he is a better mayor than LJ would be.”
Copenhaver expressed gratitude for Elwood’s strong support and emphasized his commitment to continuing Jonesboro’s progress on priority issues of crime-fighting, infrastructure improvements and conservative fiscal leadership.
“Among the things Tom and I have always had in common is our love for this city, so I am very honored to have his endorsement,” Copenhaver said. “He knows my heart, and his public recommendation means a lot to me personally.”
Elwood’s endorsement follows the formal endorsement of the Jonesboro Firefighters Association and the Mayor of the Year designation by the Arkansas Police Chiefs Association.
The final Election Day for the Jonesboro mayoral runoff is Dec. 3. Early voting will take place the week of Thanksgiving.
Voters can cast their ballots early at the Craighead County Election Annex, located at 315 West Jefferson in downtown Jonesboro from Nov. 26 to Nov. 29 and Dec. 2 from 8 am – 5 pm.
If unable to vote in person, citizens can also download an absentee ballot application at the Secretary of State’s website.
