Bowles rolls to win in District 3

District 3 incumbent Joe Bowles coasted to victory Tuesday, winning another term on the Augusta Commission.

Mr. Bowles won about 80 percent of the vote and bested challengers Cleveland O'Steen and Joy B. Mitchell-Booker for the seat. Mr. O'Steen trailed in second with nearly 14 percent, and Ms. Mitchell-Booker received nearly 6 percent of the vote.

"I am very pleased, and I am excited about the support I received," Mr. Bowles said. "Turnout could have been higher, but it's obvious the voters are happy with what I've done the past 31/2 years."

He said his top priority is the current project widening Belair Road. He said he thinks the Augusta Commission can make positive progress going forward after Tuesday's results.

"I think based on the results we'll definitely have some changes on the commission and hopefully bring more progressive leadership so that we can work across racial lines," he said.

Mr. O'Steen is a teacher and assistant basketball coach at Lighthouse Care Center of Augusta and political science adjunct professor at Georgia Military College.

Ms. Mitchell-Booker works for Georgia Bank & Trust and is a nonpracticing, nondenominational minister.