Only one Safford City Council seat remains open following Tuesday's primary election, and incumbent Ed Ragland will be challenged by Ward Weaver for the office.

Ragland received 1,018 votes (49.66 percent) and Weaver received 1,010 votes (49.2 percent) in the primary election.

Because neither of the candidates received enough votes to clear the 50-percent threshold necessary to win an office in an Arizona municipal primary election, the citizens of Safford will be asked to return to the polls on May 18 to choose which of the two men will serve on the City Council for the next four years. Ragland received a nearly equal number of election-day votes and early votes. On Tuesday, he received 506 votes and in early balloting he received 501 votes.

He attributed this to his years of service and people recognizing the work he has done throughout his tenure on the City Council.

"I just think I've been here long enough that the people know me and know my reputation, and I think I've got supporters out there," he said.

Weaver, like the other Candidates for Change, had a stronger showing at the polls than in the early balloting. Weaver received 632 votes on Tuesday and 339 early votes.

He attributed his success at the polls to the people of Safford recognizing the need for a change and turning out to make sure that change comes.

"People are ready for a change, and people realize a change was needed," Weaver said.

He said he sees his chances of election improved as the general election approaches. He is expecting people to turn out again because, "The grand change is three-fourths done and we need to have the fourth to have a whole."

Ragland said he believes his chances for getting elected are greater in the general election than they were in the primary. Now that three seats are decided and two of those seats will be occupied by newcomers to Safford City Hall, Ragland sees himself as a good candidate capable of ensuring the transition period goes as smoothly as possible.

"Looking at the results, I think now it's time to figure out how to make the transition," he said. "I see myself as a candidate with something to offer for this transition.

"People are going to be looking at how to make this transition as smooth as possible. We all know it is going to take some time to bring everybody up to speed, so I see my chances as even better than they were in the primary."

Weaver said he will continue to campaign on the same issues he did during the primary.

"I still support term limits of eight years, no more, and Ed Ragland has been in there for 23 years," Weaver said. "I still don't support the retirement plan for elected officials paid for by the citizens of Safford, and I believe Gila Resources needs to be examined."

Weaver said that three of the Candidates for Change have already been elected and he is expecting their support going into the general election.

"They've already indicated they want me in," Weaver said. "They would like to have all four of us in."

Ragland said he does not foresee any problems with the newcomers working with the sitting council members. He said despite the contentious race, he expects everyone to be able to work together with the best interests of the city in mind.

"I'm interested in a council that will move forward for Safford," he said. "Although it was a nasty little (campaign), I think people, once they get in there, they're going to realize that what they're doing affects the city, and I think people will channel their efforts towards what's good for the city.

"If you're not in there for that, then you're in there for the wrong reason."

Contact Greg Jones at 428-2560 (ext. 234) or e-mail him at gjones@eacourier.com.