By Katie Eubanks
Lexington City Council plans to follow the same process it used after former Mayor Frank Friedman’s death to fill the council seat David Sigler will leave vacant when he officially becomes mayor.
Friedman died unexpectedly in July and Sigler was then named interim mayor. On Tuesday, Sigler was elected to the remainder of Friedman’s term, while also being re-elected to his council seat. He said he would take the office of mayor if elected to both.
The election results are expected to be verified at the beginning of next week, Lexington City Manager Tom Carroll said Wednesday. Sigler will then take an oath of office and officially become mayor, serving the remainder of Friedman’s term through December 2028.
The city will fill Sigler’s vacant seat through an appointment process in January.
“It’s the same process that they used in July and August,” Carroll said.
Vice Mayor Marylin Alexander said the council will accept applications, identify potential appointees and allow residents to provide public comments before making its selection.
Carroll said the city is required to announce who is being considered for the vacancy so residents have the time to weigh in on the options.
The write-in campaign of Will Kirchner will not affect the appointment process, Carroll said. There is no legal connection between the write-in candidate and the council’s selection of someone to fill Sigler’s vacant seat.
The Rockbridge County Registrar’s Office does not yet have a total of how many of the 790 write-in votes were cast for Kirchner, Director of Elections Francena Rochard said.
“By law, we have to announce who is under consideration for the vacancy to give the public time to give feedback on that,” Carroll said.
The person appointed to the council vacancy will serve until a special election in November 2027, Carroll said. Voters will then elect someone to complete the remainder of the four-year council term.
Sigler appeared on both ballots because he had already filed to run for another four-year council term before Friedman died unexpectedly in July. After Friedman’s death, Sigler was appointed interim mayor and decided to run in the special election to fill the remainder of Friedman’s term.
On Tuesday night, Sigler said he was honored by the results and recognized the responsibility of succeeding Friedman.
“I’m humbled, I’m honored,” Sigler said. “I know that I just have enormous shoes to fill.”
He also said he was ready to begin the work of leading the city.
“I’m ready to get to work and try to do good work on behalf of the city,” Sigler said.
In the city council race, Sigler received 1,334 votes, followed by Meghan Ferguson with 1,204 and Amber Ansted with 874, according to unofficial results. Ferguson and Ansted will take their council seats in January.