Romero Leads Henderson Mayoral Race

Michelle Romero holds a commanding lead over Hollie Chadwick in the Henderson mayoral runoff, with Jennifer Atlas also ahead in Ward 3.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single civic building facade in deep red and cream, evoking a municipal election runoff. — Michelle Romero led Hollie Chadwick 60.7 percent to 39.4 percent early Wednesday in the Henderson mayoral runoff, while Jennifer Atlas led Carrie Cox in Ward 3. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Michelle Romero led Hollie Chadwick 60.7 percent to 39.4 percent in the Henderson mayoral race early Wednesday. In Ward 3, Jennifer Atlas led Carrie Cox 60.4 percent to 39.6 percent.

Why it matters

The mayor's race advanced to a runoff after Romero failed to exceed 50 percent in June's primary, leaving the final outcome to a head-to-head contest. The Ward 3 result also shapes the composition of the Henderson City Council.

Romero's runoff share of 60.7 percent compares with her 49.8 percent primary share, while Chadwick rose from 23 percent in the primary to 39.4 percent. The extraction does not indicate whether the early totals are certified or whether further ballots remain to be counted.

The players

Michelle Romero

Michelle Romero is the Henderson mayoral candidate who led the runoff early Wednesday after taking nearly half the primary vote.

Hollie Chadwick

Hollie Chadwick is Henderson's former police chief, fired in March 2025, who is now the runoff challenger for mayor.

Carrie Cox

Carrie Cox is a Henderson City Council member who was censured last November after being indicted on allegations she secretly recorded a colleague at City Hall.

Jennifer Atlas

Jennifer Atlas is the Ward 3 Henderson City Council candidate who led Carrie Cox in the runoff and finished ahead of her in June's primary.

The details

Chadwick, Henderson's former police chief, was fired in March 2025 and announced her mayoral bid two months later, campaigning alongside Cox. Cox was censured last November after being indicted on allegations she surreptitiously recorded a colleague at Henderson City Hall, and her trial is scheduled to begin in February.

March 2025: Chadwick fired as Henderson police chief.
Two months later: Chadwick announces her mayoral bid.
June: Romero falls short of 50 percent in the primary, forcing a runoff.
Last November: Cox censured after her indictment.
February: Cox's trial scheduled to begin.

Political Context

The runoff is the direct continuation of the June primary, in which Romero's 49.8 percent share fell just short of the majority needed to avoid a second round. Chadwick's campaign, launched after her March firing, drew enough primary support to force this head-to-head result.

Henderson voters who backed either runoff candidate will see the mayoral and Ward 3 outcomes settle who holds these offices. Residents should watch for certified results, since the early totals reported here are unofficial.

The takeaway

Head-to-head runoffs can reverse first-round leads, so the final certified tallies will confirm which candidates take office. Voters following local races should check official Henderson results once they are finalized.