Hanks is New Rapid City Mayor

The Rapid City Journal is reporting that Hanks defeated Kooiker in the Rapid City mayoral race 53.4% to 46.6%. It was running with Kooiker ahead or pretty tight until the last four precincts.

I think both candidates had different but positive assets to bring to the office. It's a pity Hanks and some of his supporters felt they had to resort to the negative garbage.

Unfortunately, I think that will mar his term as mayor, unless he finds some way to make amends or otherwise overcome it. It'll also leave a "muddy" taste in the mouths of 46.6% of Rapid City voters, too--something we don't need after the immature behavior from some in city hall over the last year or so.