Charles back as Ashland’s mayor

ASHLAND After learning of his victory in a nail-biter of a mayoral race, Chuck Charles left the Boyd County Clerk's Office to head to the Guitar Bar in downtown Ashland to celebrate.

Perhaps the establishment had Aerosmith's "Back in the Saddle" cued for Charles's entrance.

Charles collected 4,061 votes and Josh Blanton tallied 3,828. Charles will begin his second term as Ashland's mayor in January 2025. He also served from 2013-16.

Charles will fill the seat left vacant by Matt Perkins, who elected not to run after one four-year term.

"I'm so excited, not necessarily excited for myself, but I'm excited for the city because I see so many things in the future that we can do," Charles said on Tuesday night at the clerk's office. "The citizens spoke, and I am excited for them."

Charles, 73, said he and his wife, Jennifer, experienced some "anxious" moments as results trickled in.

"She was more nervous than I was," he said, smiling. "I'm looking forward to this. We can do some excellent things for the city."

Charles will serve as the mayor alongside commissioners DJ Rymer, Sonny Martin, Marty Gute and Tim Renfroe. Gute is the lone returner. Incumbents Amanda Clark and Cheryl Spriggs did not finish among the top four. Former commissioner Larry Brown also didn't make the cut.

Charles has been involved with various organizations and clubs — Summer Motion, Jesse Stuart Foundation, King's Daughters Foundation, Ashland Breakfast Kiwanis and the Paramount Arts Center (executive board member), to name a few.

Charles fell short to Steve Gilmore in the 2016 mayoral election.

Blanton released a video statement on Facebook in which he said he called Charles to congratulate him. He also congratulated the three new commissioners.

Blanton asked his social media followers to "rally behind the new leadership."