— This year's Martinsville City election has turned into something of a political grudge match, with Mayor...

— This year's Martinsville City election has turned into something of a political grudge match, with Mayor L.C. Jones and Martinsville resident Patty Covington seemingly occupying opposite corners of the political ring.

And while Covington's name won't appear on the ballot tonight, her fingerprints are certainly all over the campaign.

Covington has been openly pushing her preferred candidates, Michael Green and Charles Niederstadt Jr., making it clear that she's not sitting this election out.

For some observers, this election may represent another chapter in Covington's ongoing political battle with Jones — a battle that took a significant turn when the courts dealt her petition effort a setback after she failed to obtain enough valid signatures to force Jones off out of office. .

But Jones hasn't exactly been standing around waiting for the political dust to settle.

The mayor has been running what appears to be a carefully coordinated campaign, working to maintain his political support heading into Election Day.

Now comes the big question: Will voters reward Jones, or will Covington's preferred candidates make their mark at the ballot box?

Tonight, the votes will do the talking.

One thing is certain: Patty Covington may not be on the ballot, but she's certainly been part of the conversation.

JONES VS. COVINGTON — YOU BE THE JUDGE!

Original Facebook source: Open post

Source note: Star News TV · Nov 3, 2026 12:00 PM.