The only two selectmen seeking a return to the McComb city board lost their re-election bid to challengers in Tuesday’s Democratic primaries.
That makes an all-new six-member board of selectmen a certainty when the new term begins in July, signaling a call for change from voters.
Terri Waterman-Baylor, making her third run for the Ward 3 seat, defeated first-term incumbent Devante Johnson 182 votes (63%) to 108. And in Ward 5, challenger Bruce Mullins unseated two-term incumbent Ronnie Brock, receiving 172 votes (56%) to 137.
Waterman-Baylor said she was glad voters decided to give her a chance.
“I don’t know what did it this time,” she said. “I guess it wasn’t giving up. The citizens, they voted and they made their choice.”
Besides change, the ballot result also sends a directive for unity on the board, she said.
“That’s the first order of business. We need to work together for the people,” she said. “I plan to do the best I can to serve the city of McComb. I will be working for the people. I’m very happy. I’m humble and I thank God the most.”
The McComb Democratic Executive Committee ran Tuesday’s primaries. Ballot were counted at the city’s five voting precincts before ballot boxes were returned to city hall, where officials totaled the final results before announcing them.
Johnson conceded the election in a Facebook post before the final tally was reported at city hall.
“First, congratulations to Ms. Terri Waterman-Baylor on a successful campaign,” Johnson said when reached Tuesday night. “I wish her well in her future.
“I’m forever grateful for the last four years and being able to serve the citizens of Ward 3.”
Johnson, a pastor, said he is focused on his ministry and was at peace with the outcome.
“I think the people wanted to go in a different direction,” Johnson said. “We respect that and we submit to that. I look forward to what’s next to me in my life. I’m a pastor and my ministry is apostolic and I really believe that when the Lord closes one door He opens another.”
Mullins, making his second run for city office, the first four years ago in Ward 2, said he’s ready to serve and give voters what they asked for: change.
“I think the citizens of McComb have sent a resounding message to the politicians in the city, and that is we want change and we want it now,” he said.
With an all-new city board now a certainty, the next big unanswered question is who will be mayor. Incumbent Quordiniah Lockley and former Mayor Zach Patterson advanced to a May 17 runoff, with the winner facing independent candidate Michael Cameron, the current Republican Ward 2 selectman, in the general election in June.
“I want to see unity. No matter who the mayor is, he’s going to need an aggressive, intelligent and forward-thinking board to get his agenda done,” Mullins said. “Everybody knows the problems that we’ve had, and most of us feel like the current board missed a golden opportunity to fix some of the problems that we’ve had. Now, I’m hoping and praying that the new board does not let the people of this city down.
“We have some serious problems and it’s going to take serious people to address them.”
Mullins said he was sad to see such low voter turnout, 21%, in such an important election.
“I think some of them were under the impression that if I don’t go to vote, then that would automatically remove some people from office,” he said. “I’m so thankful for the people who voted for me and even the people who didn’t vote for me because they did come out to vote.”
Brock didn’t return a call seeking comment.
