Former Columbus City Manager Isaiah Hugley Sr. has been projected as the winner of the Columbus mayoral runoff election, according to unofficial final election results Tuesday night.

Hugley faced Columbus Councilor Joanne Cogle in the runoff after neither candidate secured the majority needed to win outright during the May 19 general election. In that election, Hugley led the six-candidate field with more than 16,000 votes, while Cogle finished second to advance to the runoff.

The victory marks a political comeback for Hugley, who spent more than four decades working for the Columbus Consolidated Government, including approximately 20 years as city manager. He launched his mayoral campaign in 2025 following his termination by the Columbus City Council.

Hugley will succeed Mayor Skip Henderson, who is completing his second term and was not eligible to seek re-election.

Throughout the campaign, Hugley emphasized his experience in city government, economic development, infrastructure improvements, and public safety. He repeatedly argued that his decades of municipal leadership would allow him to step into the mayor’s office prepared to address the city’s challenges from day one.

The election drew significant interest across Columbus, with voters choosing between two candidates who emerged as the frontrunners throughout the campaign season. The race advanced to a runoff after no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote in May.

According to results, Hugley received 16,309 votes. while Cogle received 15,312. Unofficial results remain subject to certification by election officials. CNAW2News will continue to update this story as additional information becomes available.