The race to replace Doug Stoner on the Smyrna City Council is headed for a few extra laps, and the stage one leader just picked up a boost from one of her former competitors.

Retiree and former investment banker Idella Moore picked up the most votes out of five candidates during the May 22 special election, but faces a July 24 runoff against business owner Tim Gould because no candidate picked up more than 50 percent of the vote.

Third-place finisher Shaun Black narrowly missed the runoff himself, finishing just 24 votes behind Gould, and has now formally endorsed Moore ahead of the second go-round.

“Idella has demonstrated her commitment to Smyrna through her tireless campaign efforts in meeting with residents and hearing their concerns,” Black said in a written statement. “As a public school parent, one of my priorities in running for city council was to ensure city support for our schools and  Idella has shown her commitment to this by offering an open line of communication for myself and other parents to voice our needs and ideas.”

Black also pointed out, as Moore has, that she is retired and thus can devote her full attention to the city council post.

Moore led the way on primary day with roughly 29 percent of the vote, followed by Gould at 24 percent. Black collected just over 22 percent of the vote, adding some heft to his endorsement. Brant Suddath finished fourth with 20 percent, and Alex Backry came in a distant fifth with 5 percent.

Smyrna’s Ward 6 seat came open when Stoner resigned earlier this year to run for Georgia’s Public Service Commission, but his run for office ended at the Democratic primary stage as he was handily beaten by Dawn Randolph, who collected more than 75 percent of the vote.

Moore said she appreciates Black’s endorsement and that she hopes it helps fuel a successful campaign for office.

“I’m very pleased and grateful to Shaun Black for coming out in support of me,” Moore said of her former opponent, who had mentioned during the campaign that his children attend public schools. “He is a public school parent and passionate supporter of Smyrna public education. I believe his strong showing was in part due to the support he garnered from other Ward 6 public school parents who, like Shaun, want to see our schools thrive. This is a goal I share with Shaun.”