Harold Copenhaver re-elected mayor: “It’s humbling for a community I love so much”

Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – December 3, 2024 – Mayor Harold Copenhaver was re-elected as mayor of Jonesboro with over 1,800 votes.

According to unofficial election results, Copenhaver received 60.41% of the vote, while challenger Councilman LJ Bryant received 39.55%.

“It is a humbling experience for a community I love so much. I have to say it was a lot more stressful than I ever expected, but the result is worth it,” said Copenhaver. “The community has spoken and we are doing the right things.”

He said he would continue to work on infrastructure improvements as well as safety and quality of life initiatives.

“I’m really going to focus on what we need to do and how we need to invest in our middle and high school years in our community. That’s where we see recurring poverty,” Copenhaver said. “I will ask our industry partners to step up to the plate.”

He added that his victory will have no impact on working with Bryant and that everything will continue as usual.

Despite the loss, Bryant said he was happy with the magnitude of his defeat.

“It was really nice to lose a little bit, to know there was nothing left to do,” Bryant said. “Mayors don’t end up in runoff elections, so we accomplished something.”

As his term ends, which ends Dec. 31, 2026, Bryant said he plans to work on planning budgets and capital projects.

He added that he would not seek re-election to another office after his term expires.

Copenhaver will be sworn in on January 1st. No time has been set.

Nena Zimmer and Brett H. Barber contributed to this report.