Jaisen Rutledge. Courtesy Cheneda Samuel

Four dozen votes made the difference as fewer than 3% of registered voters apparently elected Jaisen Rutledge to Place 4 on the Princeton City Council.

Unofficial results show Rutledge bested Planning & Zoning Commissioner Jan Goria by 48 votes and will serve out the unexpired term of Councilmember Ryan Gerfers, who resigned from council for health reasons.

“I believe my experience serving on the Community Development Corporation, the Home Rule Charter Committee, and in various philanthropic efforts, along with my educational background in organizational leadership and business administration, has prepared me well to serve Princeton during this important stage of growth,” Rutledge said. “Most importantly, I approach this as a neighbor who genuinely cares about the future of our city.”

The runoff was held Saturday, June 13, because none of the four candidates in the May 2 special election won more than 50% of the ballots.

According to unofficial, complete results from Collin County Elections, Rutledge received a total of 293 votes, 54.45% of the total of 538 cast in the runoff, for a citywide turnout of 2.94%. 

Rutledge got 18 mail ballot votes, 141 early voting votes and 134 on Election Day, Collin County Elections said.

The returns showed Goria received 245 votes in the runoff, 45.54% of the total, with 23 ballots by mail, 131 votes in early in-person voting and 91 votes on Election Day. 

Results are unofficial until canvassed by the Princeton City Council, which is expected to take place at the Monday, June 22, meeting.

“Rutledge will be a great addition to the city of Princeton,” said Mayor Eugene Escobar Jr. “He is a man who I believe will represent ALL residents and work to move Princeton forward.” 

In the first election, Goria won 199 votes cast — 41.46% of the total of 480 — for a turnout of 2.52%, Collin County Elections said. 

Rutledge received 158 votes or 32.92% of the total in the May 2 balloting.

The two other candidates were Sharad Ramani, who received 21.88% of the special election vote, and Hassan Abdulkareem who polled 3.75%, Collin County Elections reported.

“While I am disappointed in the low voter turnout, I hope more residents understand how important local elections are,” Escobar said after the June 13 runoff. “Voting is one of the most powerful ways to make sure we have the right representation in place to push for the changes, accountability and progress our community deserves.” 

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