The city of Clarksdale now has a new leader following the announcement by Democratic Mayor Chuck Espy that he would not be seeking a third term.
State Rep. Orlando Paden, after securing the Democratic nomination in a runoff against Bubba O’Keefe, came out victorious over independent challengers Scotty Meredith and Milton Gardner on Tuesday to occupy the Delta city’s mayoral office. According to numbers from the Clarksdale Press Register, Paden earned 1,488 votes, Meredith received 1,033, and only seven people cast a ballot for Gardner.
Paden, a native of Clarksdale, ran on improving public safety, cleaning up the city, and bolstering future economic opportunities. Leaning on his time in the state capitol, Paden also touted using his position in the House to secure a $2 million increase in funding for Clarksdale Public Schools this past fiscal year and $7 million for dorm improvements at Coahoma Community College.
