Carlisle voters elected Curtis Gray as their next mayor Tuesday, giving him a decisive victory over Joey Russell in an election that also decided three contested City Council seats.
With all three precincts reporting, Gray received 398 votes, or 65.3%, compared with 212 votes, or 34.8%, for Russell. A total of 610 votes were cast in the nonpartisan mayoral race, according to unofficial election results.
Gray will succeed Mayor Jon Plafcan, who withdrew from the race earlier this year after initially filing for reelection.
A retired Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife officer who operates local businesses, including a lumber business and taxidermy shop, Gray made improvements to Carlisle’s aging infrastructure and greater transparency in city government central themes of his campaign.
During an Oct. 13 candidate forum sponsored by the Carlisle Chamber of Commerce, Gray expressed concern about the condition of the city’s water and sewer systems and the financial challenges associated with maintaining them.
“The reason I’m running is just because I feel like we have to start looking at some infrastructure stuff that’s gonna be coming down the pike,” Gray said during the forum.
He also discussed residents’ concerns about water bills and called for greater openness about city finances and decisions affecting taxpayers.
Russell, who has lived in Carlisle for nearly 10 years, has served with the city’s fire department for more than five years. He also participated in the October forum, where candidates discussed the importance of accountability and improving city services.
The election follows a period of transition in Carlisle’s municipal government. Plafcan became mayor in 2025 following the resignation of Ray Glover and was subsequently appointed by the City Council to complete the term.
City Council races
The closest of Carlisle’s three contested City Council races was in Ward 1, Position 2, where Bill Ricks narrowly defeated Shanquita Berryman.
Ricks received 309 votes, or 51.2%, compared with 295 votes, or 48.8%, for Berryman. The margin was just 14 votes out of 604 cast.
In Ward 3, Position 1, Mercedes “Sadie” Rogers defeated Teresa Anne Anderson with 407 votes, or 67.6%, compared with Anderson’s 195 votes, or 32.4%. A total of 602 votes were cast.
Caleb Swears won the Ward 3, Position 2 race, receiving 437 votes, or 71.5%, compared with 174 votes, or 28.5%, for Andrew Silverman. A total of 611 votes were cast.
All three precincts had fully reported in each City Council race.
Gray and the winning council candidates are scheduled to begin their terms in January.
