Linkey defeats Roath in Perryville mayoral election

PERRYVILLE — Commissioner Michelle Linkey is now the Town of Perryville’s mayor-elect after winning the town’s election Tuesday.

Linkey secured 398 votes to incumbent Mayor Matt Roath’s 260.

“I am just thrilled and excited,” Linkey said moments after the results were announced by Wayne Kommalan, a member of the town’s Board of Elections. “It’s time to start working hard together.”

Since the town moved to a mayoral system in 1996, Linkey will be the first woman to serve as the town’s mayor. Linkey will also be the fifth person to hold that office in the town.

Voter turnout was estimated at almost 20%, higher than the 17 percent in 2021 when Roath defeated then-incumbent mayor Bob Ashby by 9 votes.

Linkey said she now needs to find someone to take her seat on the Board of Town Commissioners; a seat she’s held since 2009.