Judy Sheets made history Saturday by becoming second female Mayor in the history of Frankfort.
Sheets, who was beginning her fourth term as Clerk-Treasurer for the city, won on the third ballot of Saturday’s mayoral caucus against Frankfort Board of Works member Kenny Estes and Frankfort City Councilman Eric Woods.
Mary Jane McMahon was Frankfort’s Mayor from 1976 to 1983.
Sheets and her many supporters were extremely elated about the outcome.
“It’s UN-believable,” said Sheets. “It’s the best day of my life. I love it. It’s something I’ve always wanted and something I’ve always dreamed of. Never thought I was going to get to do it.”
Since 18 of the 20 precinct committee people were present at the caucus, it took 10 votes to win. Sheets led after each of the first two ballots with eight and nine votes, respectively. Estes was second with five and six, while Woods had five and three votes.
The final ballot was between Sheets and Estes with Sheets receiving 12 of the 18 votes.
“We took one out on the third ballot,” said Republican Party Chairman Jim Moyer. “So, Judy’s win was just between Judy and Ken. If we had gone one more (ballot), it would have still been the same two.”
Moyer said caucus rules state that everybody competes in the first two ballots. Beginning with the third ballot, the lowest vote-getter is dropped.
The ironic thing is that Sheets is following the exact same path McMahon took in becoming Mayor. McMahon worked in the County Clerk’s office from 1962-1966 before being appointed City Clerk-Treasurer from 1966-1975. Sheets was just starting her 13th year as Frankfort’s Clerk-Treasurer.
Sheets was asked what the public can expect from her.
“They can expect me to be out there engaging them in some of these things in the city,” said Sheets. “I’m going to surround myself with good people and we’re going to move the city forward in a positive way.”
Asked what she said that got her elected, Sheets said, “I would like to think that it is because they believe in me and my dedication to the city in the previous years.”
Moyer said he thinks Sheets will do a fine job in her new position.
“She has a very good background as Clerk-Treasurer,” said Moyer. “She knows all about the finances, all about the bonding. She will also be a good mentor to whoever becomes the new Clerk-Treasurer.”
Moyer added this marks the beginning of a series of caucuses that are going to be held.
“We’re starting the falling dominoes,” said Moyer. “First, we replace the Mayor. Then, we replace the Center Township Trustee, then we will replace the Clerk-Treasurer and then we may replace an advisory board member on Center Township. Who knows?”
A caucus for the Center Township position has been set for 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, in Old Stoney.
Sheets officially becomes Mayor at noon on Monday, March 2. She replaces Chris McBarnes who resigned to become the Executive Director of the Wyldlife Fund in Wyoming earlier this month.