Phil Boyum is two for two.

Less than a year after earning the District 1 seat on Statesboro City Council, Boyum prevailed again, this time defeating challenger Kelly Dabbs in a race settled Tuesday.

Voters overwhelmingly agreed to grant Boyum a second term - his first full one - in the council office.

The incumbent councilman garnered 381 of the 526 votes cast by District 1 voters - approximately 72 percent.
Dabbs received 144 votes (27 percent).

Boyum, 43, is a marketing consultant and radio voice at Georgia Eagle Media radio stations. He is currently serving an abbreviated term of one year as District 1 councilman. He won a special city election last year to replace former Councilman Tommy Blitch, who resigned because of health issues.

Boyum waited Tuesday at the Bulloch County Courthouse while votes were counted.

"Obviously, I am pleased. As I said when I was sworn in in January, I will continue to work with other city councilmen to help move the city forward. I am looking forward to serving the citizens of District 1 and the city of Statesboro for another four years," he said. "I just want to thank everyone who voted for me. I obviously could not do this by myself. A lot of people have helped with this campaign."

The 47-year-old Dabbs, the owner of a local pond/habitat management company, was seeking public office for a first time.

Also on hand at the courthouse, he congratulated Boyum on the victory and said he was pleased with the work that went into his own campaign.

"We did our best, and I have no regrets. Life goes on," Dabbs said, adding that he wanted to say "thanks to all of my backers."

District 4

Running unopposed, incumbent City Councilman John Riggs secured re-election to the District 4 office.

The 43-year-old Statesboro native was first elected in 2009.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the 4th District and being part of the 4th District," Riggs said after votes were tallied Tuesday. "I think we have done a lot of good things so far, and have a lot more to come in the future. I am humbled that I would be given the opportunity to represent the 4th District for another four years."

Jeff Harrison may be reached at (912) 489-9454.