Riggins Wins Clarksville Mayor's Race

Former city utility manager Mark Riggins defeated City Council member Wanda Smith by 1,010 votes in Tuesday's election.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in City Hall

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Mark Riggins won the Clarksville mayoral election with 44% of the vote, ahead of Wanda Smith at 42% and Brian Zacharias at 13%. Riggins declared victory at a watch party at The Venue.

Why it matters

The result puts a longtime city employee and former county commissioner in charge of city government, with Riggins pledging to open the city's books and address traffic on his first day. The narrow margin reflects a closely divided electorate for Clarksville residents.

Riggins won with 44% of the vote to Smith's 42% and Zacharias's 13%, a margin of 1,010 votes. The stub does not report total turnout or precinct-level results.

The players

Mark Riggins

Riggins is a longtime City of Clarksville employee and former general manager of Clarksville Gas and Water who previously served two terms on the Montgomery County Commission.

Wanda Smith

Smith is a member of the Clarksville City Council and a former mayor pro tem who lost the mayoral race to Riggins.

Brian Zacharias

Zacharias is an Army veteran and public school educator who previously served as Clarksville mayor pro tem and City Council representative for Ward 1.

The details

Riggins spent nearly three decades as a City of Clarksville employee, including as general manager of Clarksville Gas and Water, and previously served two terms on the Montgomery County Commission. He delivered his victory speech at a watch party at The Venue.

Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Mayoral election held and Riggins declared the winner.
Day one of his administration: Riggins plans to open the city's books and work on traffic.

Political Context

Riggins's victory comes after Smith, a sitting council member and former mayor pro tem, lost a race in which Zacharias, a former mayor pro tem himself, drew 13% of the vote. The result reflects a city where experienced council and administrative figures competed closely for the top office.

Clarksville residents will see the new mayor begin work on opening city finances and addressing traffic on day one of the administration. The stub does not specify any policy changes that would take effect for residents.

The takeaway

A narrow 1,010-vote margin shows Clarksville's mayoral choice was closely contested, so residents who follow city finances and traffic plans will have a clear early test of the new administration's promises.