Renee Mitchell, a Missoula Youth Home manager, out-muscled former body builder Christine Prescott Tuesday to become the new City Council member for Ward 5.Mitchell won with 1,220 votes to Prescott's 1,026.
She said she won because she holds the same values as the people in her ward, unlike her opponent.
"I'm a conservative in a fairly conservative district," said Mitchell, who campaigned as a staunch nonpartisan. She said she took clear stances on key issues, which earned her votes.
During her campaign, Prescott said she would be a positive voice for Missoula and called Mitchell a " 'No' person" who already has her mind made up.
Prescott was not available for comment after election results were in.
The issue of infill brought out the differences between the two candidates.
"I think we have to explore everything," Prescott said during the campaign. "I think there's a way to do it responsibly and do it in a way that fits with the neighborhood."
But Mitchell's more assertive stance on infill may have won her key votes.
"I think we should follow the zoning, and I don¹t think we should compromise the integrity of existing neighborhoods," she said. "Also, what's affordable isn't always acceptable."
Mitchell said her neighbors asked her to run for the City Council seat left open by longtime Councilman Jack Reidy. She said that her many years living in Missoula gave her ties that turned into votes.
- By KELSEY BERNIUS, ALEXANDER TENENBAUM, PETER CONTE and LINA MILLER
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