Mary Jane Erwin has been elected as the next mayor of Flippin, narrowly defeating incumbent Mayor Heath Hogan by just two votes. The final count, announced by the Marion County Clerk on Wednesday evening, concluded with Erwin receiving 156 votes to Hogan's 154.
The outcome hinged on the counting of remaining absentee ballots, which were tallied late Wednesday. This decisive count brought the closely watched race to a conclusion shortly before 7 p.m.
The election marks a significant shift for Flippin’s leadership, as the town of just over 1,300 residents prepares for Erwin to take office. In such a tight election, the result underscores the importance of every vote in local races. No immediate comments were available from either candidate following the final tally.