Columbia Standard

The contest to decide who will be the next mayor of Columbia has narrowed down to a runoff between two members of its City Council.

Daniel Rickenmann and Tameika Isaac Devine emerged as the top two vote-getters in the race to succeed current Mayor Steve Benjamin.

According to the Charlotte Observer, Rickenmann garnered close to 44% of the Election Day vote.

His failure to cross the 50% threshold sets up a showdown with Devine, who trailed him with just below 30% of the vote, the Charlotte Observer reported.

Rickenmann took to Facebook to thank his supporters, as well as remind them that the race is far from over.

“’Thank you’ does not quite capture the amount of gratitude I have for everyone who turned out to vote in yesterday’s election,” he wrote on Nov. 3. “I am happy to announce that we are in the runoff on November 16th.”

Devine also spoke about the runoff on social media.

“We are in a runoff, #TeamDevine!” she tweeted. “That means that we will all head BACK to the polls on November 16th to determine our next Mayor. If you are interested in volunteering or donating to help us finish strong in these crucial last two weeks, go to http://devineformayor.com!”

Attorney Sam Johnson, who earned Benjamin’s endorsement, but was only able to muster around 25% of the vote, good enough for a third place finish.

Former City Councilman Moe Baddourah rounded out the field with barely 2%.

Earlier this year, Benjamin, who has led Columbia for more than a decade, announced his decision to not run for a fourth term.

According to The State, Rickenmann, who works in renewable energy development, is a three-term councilman who has served on the body on two different stints.

Devine, who is an attorney by profession, has served on the City Council for 19 years and is the only African American woman to ever be elected to the council, the publication reported.

She is vying to become Columbia’s first female mayor.