The dust has settled – at least for the most part – after roughly 200 municipalities across Mississippi held general elections on Tuesday. Unofficial results from city clerks’ offices showed most winners by Wednesday morning with a few races too close to call.
Here’s what to know.
Mississippi’s largest cities get new mayors
New leadership was inevitable in Mississippi’s two largest cities after Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba was ousted in April’s Democratic primary and Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes decided not to seek a fourth term.
Starting in the capital city, longtime Democratic state Sen. John Horhn bested four other candidates, receiving roughly 67% of votes. Horhn, who defeated Lumumba in a primary runoff, capitalized throughout the campaign trail on the optics of the sitting mayor being under federal investigation and recent issues the city has faced related to water, infrastructure, and crime. Plus, Horhn consistently touted relationships he’s built on the state and federal levels and how those will transform into future success for the state’s most populous city.
In Gulfport, a contentious race with both Republicans and Democrats throwing out claims of election interference resulted in GOP candidate and local attorney Hugh Keating winning. Keating received around 53% of the votes to defeat former Democratic state Rep. Sonya Williams Barnes. Both candidates received national support going into the election, which was not called until after midnight Tuesday.
Other mayoral races
While eyes statewide turned to see what would happen in Jackson and Gulfport, there were plenty of mayoral races in other cities worth watching.
Some of the biggest surprises of the night: Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs was unseated by Democratic challenger Willis Thompson, Greenwood Mayor Carolyn McAdams was unseated by Democratic challenger Kendrick Cox, and Democrat Jimmy Stokes beat Republican Danny Klein to win the Horn Lake mayoral seat that sits in blood-red DeSoto County.
- Amory mayor: Zackary McGonagill (R) unseated incumbent Corey Glenn (I). McGonagill currently serves as the city’s fire chief.
- Biloxi mayor: Incumbent Andrew “FoFo” Gilich (R) held off two challengers, Andy Linville (I) and Farren Santibanez.
- Brookhaven mayor: Larry Jointer (D) narrowly unseated incumbent Joe Cox (R).
- Canton mayor: Tim Taylor (D) defeated Walter Peeples (I) and Chip Matthews (R). The seat was open after William Truly (D) did not seek reelection.
- Clarksdale mayor: State Rep. Orlando Paden (D) defeated Scotty Meredith (I) and Milton Gardner (I). Paden has been a member of the Mississippi House since 2016 and will replace Chuck Espy (D), who did not seek reelection.
- Collins mayor: Incumbent Hope Magee Jones (D) defeated Gerald Ellzey (R).
- Columbus mayor: Stephen Jones (D) defeated Bill Strauss (I) and Darren Leech (I). Jones currently serves as the city’s councilman representing Ward 5.
- Gautier mayor: Incumbent Casey Vaughn (I) staved off Phil Torjusen (R). Torjusen previously served as mayor before being unseated by Vaugn in 2021.
- Laurel mayor: Incumbent Johnny Magee (D) won over Traveres Comedy’s (I), Anthony Jerome Hudson (I), and Steven Brian Griffin (I).
- Lumberton mayor: James Sandifer, Jr. (D) unseated incumbent Quincy Rogers
- Magee mayor: Mark Grubbs (R) defeated Jim Snider (I). Grubbs currently serves as Ward 1 alderman and will replace Dale Berry, who dropped out of the race due to health concerns.
- Meridian: Percy Bland (D) beat Jimmy Copeland (I). Bland previously served as mayor before losing a reelection bid in 2021.
- Moss Point mayor: Incumbent Billy Knight (D) beat Richard McBride (R).
- Pearl: Incumbent Jake Windham (R) defeated Willie Robinson (D).
- Philadelphia: Jim Fulton (R) beat LeRoy Clemons (D), who knocked off incumbent James Young in the primary. Fulton currently serves as the city’s alderman representing Ward 2.
- Rolling Fork mayor: Ethridge Walker (I) defeated Anthony White (I) and Angela Hall Williams (I).
- Starkville mayor: Incumbent Lynn Spruill (D) held off Roger Bassett (I). Spruill was debating not seeking reelection but ultimately decided to run.
- Wiggins mayor: Incumbent Darrell Berry (I) defeated Heather Patterson (R).
Outside of Gulfport, unofficial results show Mississippi’s mayoral elections were an overall success for the Democratic party.
“The June 3 victories signify a growing appetite for Democratic leadership at the local level in Mississippi,” a statement from the Mississippi Democratic Party reads. “As the party builds on this momentum, it remains dedicated to fostering inclusive policies and responsive governance that uplift all Mississippians.”
Polling issues in Gulfport
An election day social media post claiming that Harrison County residents can vote in Gulfport municipal elections sparked confusion for some voters.
The Mississippi Secretary of State’s office issued a swift rebuttal to the claim, noting that while “any person who shows up to vote is given the opportunity to cast an affidavit ballot, any person who resides outside of the city limits will have that affidavit ballot rejected and not counted.”
Otherwise, no serious issues have been reported by the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office.
Referendums receive support
Pearl voters approved a referendum to allow wine and liquor shops inside city limits, though the final say on what implementation looks like will come from the Rankin County Board of Supervisors.
Forest residents also had a chance to allow the opening of liquor and wine stores within city limits. Voters approved the measure 265 votes to 111.
In Ridgeland, voters got a second chance to approve a temporary tax increase that would fund a large-scale expansion of Freedom Ridge Park. The referendum passed with 74.5% of votes approving the measure, easily surpassing the 60% threshold.
The temporary tax increases include a 2% additional levy on hotels and 1% increase on restaurants within city limits. The tax increases, which will phase out after the expansion project is fully funded, will enlarge the Freedom Ridge Park facility, along with adding a collection of new amenities to enable the park to host premier sports tournaments and events. City officials believe the project will open a major revenue valve for Ridgeland.
