Backus wins re-election, handily, as mayor, admits ‘this is my last campaign’

By Robert Whale • November 10, 2017 3:30 pm
Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus shares a moment with her mom, Mary Karr, during an election-night campaign gathering at The Longhorn Barbecue on Tuesday. Backus won re-election with a cushion over challenger Largo Wales from returns frequently updated throughout the week. RACHEL CIAMPI, Auburn Reporter

If Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus had any stubborn nervousness about the weatherability of her commanding, election-night lead over Deputy Mayor Largo Wales in the Auburn mayoral race, it is gone by now.

Without enough votes left uncounted to swing a Wales’ victory, Backus had garnered 6,244 votes, 55.15 percent of the vote, to Wales 5,036 votes or 44.48 percent, according to the most recent vote count on Nov. 17.

Yeah, yeah, it’s not yet official, but Backus, elected the city’s first female mayor in 2013, has won her second term.

And apparently, her last.

“This is my last campaign,” Backus said during the crowded, loud, election-night gathering of friends, supporter and loved ones at The Longhorn Barbecue

Supporters were all smiles.

“I’m excited, and I’m very pleased that Nancy ran such a positive campaign. That tells a lot right there,” said former City Councilwoman and current Planning Commission Chair Judi Roland.

Wales declined to comment.