The Mississippi Republican Party is accusing a Gulfport mayoral candidate of attempting to buy votes ahead of Tuesday’s election.
On Wednesday, Mississippi GOP Chairman Mike Hurst penned a letter to Gulfport District Attorney W. Crosby Parker and Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch outlining where the party believes Sonya Williams Barnes, a Democrat looking to flip the red seat blue, has broken campaign laws.
Hurst, a former Trump-nominated U.S. Attorney, told the two authorities that he is aware of two instances in which Barnes and the Committee to Elect Sonya Williams Barnes violated a portion of state law that prohibits individuals from offering money or “anything of substantial value” for his or her vote. Violators of this law could be fined between $50 and $500, and possibly imprisoned for up to six months.
The first alleged infringement of the statute occurred with folks supporting Barnes’ campaign handing out what appears to be vouchers for meals at a local restaurant in front of Gulfport City Hall. GOP officials shared what they’re calling video evidence of vouchers being handed out on Facebook. The voucher is reportedly good for a meal at Miss Audrey’s Soul Food and Catering, a local Gulfport restaurant, through Election Day.
“These vouchers contain a picture of a ballot box with the word ‘vote’ on the front, specifically offering a ‘special prepared meal’ at a local Gulfport restaurant, and are being handed out in front of Gulfport City Hall, specifically after someone casts an absentee vote in the Gulfport municipal elections,” Hurst wrote in the complaint.
“You will notice that these vouchers state that such meals are available, ‘now through June 3’ – election day. A specific sign at that local Gulfport restaurant confirms the validity of the ‘Souls to the Polls’ vouchers and the specific exchange of things of value for votes.”
The second alleged violation is said to have taken place this past Saturday at a “Vote & Vibe Day Party,” in which supporters of the candidate’s campaign reportedly invited people to meet at Gulfport City Hall in the morning to vote as a unit. A flyer for the event stated that those who showed up to cast ballots would receive a wristband, which would be good for free brunch at a local restaurant.
“These are horrific examples of individuals, groups, and political campaigns actively attempting to steal an election by buying votes. Elections should be won by persuasion, not payoffs,” Hurst continued in his complaint. “In Mississippi, our democracy is not for sale. We will not stand idly by when outside groups try to corrupt and steal our elections through vote buying. Such unlawful activity strikes at the very heart of and undermines our republic.”
The alleged actions by the Barnes campaign are believed to have been spotlighted by state Sen. Joel Carter, who represents Gulfport at the state capitol, back in late April. Carter took to social media in support of longtime attorney and Republican mayoral candidate Hugh Keating, who is also his godfather, accusing Barnes and former Gulfport resident turned prominent national figure in the Democratic Party, Stacey Abrams, of coercing residents into voting a certain way.
“Stacey Abrams and her cronies are highly involved in the Gulfport mayoral race. Hugh’s opponent will have more than enough cash to bus voters to the polls and feed them. The democrats will be extremely organized,” Carter wrote. “Do not take this mayoral race for granted! Hugh is NOT a shoo-in!”
Barnes, a former state lawmaker, has since responded to the Mississippi Republican Party’s allegations. She noted Wednesday afternoon that her campaign has been actively working to encourage voters to show up in droves on election day but denied any involvement in illegal activity. Barnes also accused the GOP of engaging in a “desperate” attempt at promoting “scare tactics” to distract voters.
My campaign for Mayor of Gulfport is organized, energetic, and grounded in the belief that our city deserves new leadership that listens, leads with integrity, and acts in the best interest of the public. I’m running because I hear the call for change coming from every corner of our community.
As part of my grassroots effort, I’m out canvassing neighborhoods, making phone calls, and encouraging every eligible voter to participate in the June 3 election. I’m committed to voter engagement, civic responsibility, and ensuring that everyone participates lawfully. I am not affiliated with, nor do I support, any illegal voter activity of any kind.
I stand for integrity and real leadership-unlike my opponent, whose campaign is relying on distractions rather than offering a true vision for Gulfport’s future. The recent press conference was nothing more than a scare tactic by his party to rally last minute support, and a desperate attempt to distract from their lack of vision for our city.
If you’re ready for a change in leadership and a brighter future for Gulfport, I invite you to stand with me. Vote Sonya Williams Barnes on June 3.”
Meanwhile, the attorney general’s office has opened an investigation into the accusations and has requested to discuss the matter further with Barnes and her camp no later than Thursday. Fitch and her team also warned the candidate and involved parties that destruction of evidence that could later be presented to a grand jury could result in obstruction of justice charges.
Whoever wins Tuesday’s election will take over for longtime Republican Mayor Billy Hewes, who decided not to run for reelection.
