While McComb voters elected a whole new board for the next term in this year’s elections, the board will have the same configuration as the term now ending, with four Democrats and two Republicans set to govern the city.
Ward 1, the city’s Republican bastion, elected a familiar face. Tommy McKenzie, the former selectman-at-large who ran for mayor in 2018, beat out Democrat Ed Silence and independent candidates David Stewart and Jay Wilson to return to government service. McKenzie garnered 341 votes, trailed by Wilson with 111, Silence with 54 and Stewart with 18.
In Ward 2, political newcomer Matt Codding carried the GOP banner to victory over Democrat Lynn Martin in what has been a bit of a swing district in recent years. Codding prevailed 186-164.
Neither McKenzie nor Codding responded to requests for comment on their wins before press time on Wednesday.
However, McKenzie posted on his Facebook page, "I want to take this opportunity to thank all the citizens of McComb who took time to exercise their right to vote yesterday. I appreciate all the support I was given during this election cycle and I’m honored to be able to represent you as a selectman for the next 4 years.
"I think this election spoke volumes as we now have board of all new selectmen and women. The people want change and the democratic process gave them the opportunity to elect that change.
“I personally am excited to see what is in store for our community and what a united board can do in this town!
"Thank you again for your support!"
McKenzie, in his previous stint on the board, was a reliable conservative vote, often challenging spending measures he viewed as unnecessary or unwise at the time.
A strong personality, he often clashed with selectmen Ronnie Brock, Donovan Hill and Alfred Eubanks over issues and board procedures, but the other Republicans then on the board, Michael Cameron and Ted Tullos, also often argued with their Democratic counterparts.
All of those board members were uninhibited in sharing their unvarnished opinions, and most knew how to push each others’ buttons.
Now, McKenzie will be the only selectman in office that has experience serving on the city board, and his fellow board members may be more mildly mannered than the past two boards.
McKenzie brings experience as a project manager at Clark Construction to a board that is building a new gym at the Martin Luther King Center in Burglund and renovating the Alpha Center in Baertown, and has a wealth of infrastructure to oversee.
Codding oversees some of the projects of St. Andrew’s Mission, a charity that has a history of running a thrift store, a senior center, a free clinic and a soup kitchen in McComb.
Tabitha Felder-Isaac and John Bates are experienced businesspeople. Terri Waterman-Baylor is a teacher. Bruce Mullins is a railroad retiree.
All are people who should be accustomed and able to dealing with people. Time will tell how well they do that.
Their first go-round together should be at a work session July 5.
