DIGHTON — Alice Eitel, a Dighton City Council member running for mayor, died the day before Tuesday's election.
Lennie Herman, mayor for the past eight years, was re-elected, getting 244 votes to 109 for Eitel. Had the challenger received more votes, the council president would have become mayor in the far western Kansas town.
Lane County Clerk Crysta Torsen said some election workers and voters weren't aware that Eitel, 66, died Monday at her daughter's home in Lincoln, Neb. Eitel had been diagnosed with liver cancer a month ago and was in Nebraska for medical treatment.
Eitel had been a member of the council for two years.
"Alice loved her community," said her friend, Joanne Selfridge. "She thought she could make a difference as mayor. She wanted the officials to listen to the voters. She certainly will be missed."
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