When the new board takes over on July 1 for the city, there will only be one new face. All the incumbent aldermen who sought reelection were successful, and the one remaining post has now been filled.
With a dismal turnout of less than 20% on Tuesday, the final two contested races in the municipal elections have now been determined. Republican incumbent Mike Smith maintained his position as Ward 4 alderman, and Republican Andrea Porter defeated Democrat Gwendolyn Hammond for the alderwoman-at-large post.
“I am just really pleased that I am going to get to serve on this board because this is going to be the best board Columbia, Miss. has ever had in forever. We are going to get so much done,” Smith said after learning he won the election.
The alderman-at-large position was vacated with the resignation of Edward Hough, who moved out of the city limits. However, Hough had already made the decision not to seek reelection. Porter and former Mayor Reed Houston competed in a run-off election for the Republican candidacy at the end of April, with Porter winning that contest.
“I have campaigned for six months, and I think I can speak for my family and friends that tonight is the end of the campaign. It has been very productive, and I have gotten to meet a lot of people. I found out what is important to people, what they would like for me to work on, their concerns are and a lot of areas for improvements. Even though it has been tough on the campaign field, it has been productive. I am really looking forward to serving on this board because they already got a lot of great things in the works,” Porter said at City Hall Tuesday night.
With 3,312 registered voters in the city, only 656 people cast ballots on Tuesday. For the alderwoman-at-large vote, Porter received 399 votes to Hammond’s 250. Smith had 114 votes compared to 58 for Brian Foxworth in the Ward 4 alderman post.
While there were no other contested races, the unofficial total of the votes as of Tuesday night was:
Mayor Justin McKenzie, who ran unopposed, had 552 votes with 16 write-ins. Ward 1 Alderman Wendell Hammond also ran unopposed with 107 votes and two write-ins.
Ward 2 Alderman Jason Stringer and Ward 3 Alderwoman Anna Evans were reelected during the primary election on April 6. However, Tuesday night, Stringer received 220 votes, and there were six write-ins. Evans received 99 votes with two write-ins.
The new board will take over on July 1.
