J. Micheal Evans wins Centerville Mayor Special Election

CENTERVILLE – J. Micheal Evans has been elected Mayor of Centerville and will fill the unexpired term of former Mayor John Harley. Now, he is excited to get to work.

Evans won the special election with 57% of the vote. His opponent, Justin Wright, had 43% of the vote. 

Evans spoke with appreciation for the citizens of Centerville, acknowledging their trust and confidence in him. His campaign was hard work, he said, including talking to citizens and learning about issues in the city that they felt needed to be addressed; He saw a lot of support from both citizens and friends in the community, something he appreciated.

Evans’ next steps include his swearing-in ceremony. City business is not too far away, with a Public Hearing scheduled next week and the adoption of their Fiscal Year 2026 budget on Tuesday, July 1, the first day of the fiscal year. Evans is eager to get business done right away. 

Evans expressed his gratitude to those who voted for him. 

“I just want everyone in Centerville to know that I will be a mayor for every citizen, and I am looking forward to continuing to serve,” he said.

The Journal has reached out to Wright, who has not yet responded. After the election, he took to social media and expressed gratitude to his supporters.

“The results are in, and while we didn’t get the outcome we hoped for, I’m filled with gratitude. To everyone who supported this campaign – thank you. Your time, your energy, your trust – it all mattered, and I’ll never take it for granted. My heart for Centerville hasn’t changed. My passion to serve this community remains as strong as ever. I believe in this city, and I’m not going anywhere. This may not be the end I expected – but it’s not the end of the story. Let’s keep building something great, together.”