Hattiesburg, Petal hold municipal primary elections. What's next?
Following Tuesday's primary elections in Hattiesburg and Petal, leadership in those cities are shaping up ahead of the June 3 general election.
None of the races in Hattiesburg or Petal require a runoff, as all winning candidates secured the minimum 50%-plus-one votes.
The winners of the primaries also secured their positions in their respective cities since they have no opponents in the June 3 general election.
In Hattiesburg's Democratic primary, Eric Boney was able to secure the Ward 2 City Council seat, defeating his opponent Carlos Wilson with 506 votes or 69%. Wilson received 226 votes or 31% of the total votes in Ward 2.
It will be Boney's first term on the council, replacing longtime Councilwoman Deborah Delgado, who decided to retire from city politics. She has served the city since 2001.
Ward 5 Councilman Nicholas Brown will return to office in July, having defeated his opponent Ashley Perkins with a narrower margin. Brown secured 447 votes or 56% to Perkins's 338 votes or 44%.
This is what to expect on the ballot for the June 3 general election in Hattiesburg:
Mayor Toby Barker is running unopposed.
Ward 1: Councilman Jeffrey George, a Republican, will face Democrat Stefon Ward.
Ward 2: Eric Boney is unopposed.
Ward 3: Longtime Councilman Carter Carroll is not seeking reelection. He was first elected in 1997. Three people are hoping to become the next council member for the district: Independent Joe Henry Wiley Sr., Democrat Keenon Walker and Republican LeAnn Van Slyke Vance.
Ward 4: Councilman Dave Ware is running unopposed.
Ward 5: Councilman Nicholas Brown is running unopposed.
In Petal, Mayor Tony Ducker took a strong lead with a lion's share of the votes in the three-way Republican primary.
Ducker received 946 votes or 89% to E.J. Miller's 89 and Emily Dawn Escolas' 25 votes.
Ward 1 Alderman Gerald Steele also cemented his return to office with 147 votes or 79% to his opponent Josh Gipson's 40 votes or 21%.
Petal will not hold a general election in June since the remaining candidates were unopposed.
Returning to office in July with Ducker and Steele are Alderman at Large Mike Lott, Ward 2 Alderwoman Kim Stringer, Ward 3 Alderman Blake Nobles, Ward 4 Alderman Craig Strickland, Ward 5 Alderman Drew Brickson and Ward 6 Alderman Craig Bullock.
There were no primary races held in Lamar County cities.
In Purvis, all of the city's current leaders are running unopposed so the city will not hold elections this year. Returning to office for a new term in July are Mayor Roger Herrin, Alderman at Large Wendell Hudson, Ward 1 Alderwoman Donna Bielstein, Ward 2 Alderman Vernon Hartfield, Ward 3 Alderwoman Jerry Smith and Ward 4 Alderwoman Deborah Ferrell.
In Lumberton, all races are challenged, so will be decided in June.
Incumbent Mayor Quincy Rogers will face challengers in Ward 1 Alderman David Kent Crider and James Sandifer Jr.
Former alderwoman Tina Speights and Bobby Gibson are challenging incumbent Alderwoman at Large Sandy Kee.
Ward 1 Alderman David Kent Crider is running for mayor in 2025, so the district will elect a new official to serve. Candidates who are seeking the office are Tommy Rheams, Annette Sandifer and Elaine Clark.
In Ward 2, incumbent Kyle Crider will face off against Laurie Surla.
Incumbent Ward 3 Alderwoman Myrtis Holder will face former alderman Johnathan Griffith.
Former alderwoman Audrey Davis is hoping for a return to city government. She is challenging incumbent Ward 4 Alderwoman Jasmin Holder.
In Sumrall, candidates are running as independents in the June 3 election.
Ward 4 Alderman Darrell Hall and Ward 2 candidate Shanna Istre have uncontested races, so they will be sworn into office in July. Incumbent Ward 2 Alderman Lee Granberry is not seeking reelection.
Contested races in Sumrall:
Mayor: Incumbent Joel Lofton will face challenger Dwayne Jones
Alderman at Large: Incumbent Brittany Fortenberry will face Trina McLendon
Ward 1 Alderman: Incumbent Lamar Reed will face Jeffery Coulter
Ward 3 Alderman: Incumbent Pam Birdsong Graves will face Amanda C. Whiddon
Lici Beveridge is a reporter for the Hattiesburg American and Clarion Ledger. Contact her at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge
This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: See winners in Hattiesburg, Petal elections and who is running in June
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