McComb Municipal Democratic executive committee members completed their count of affidavit ballots in the primary runoff election Wednesday afternoon.
Out of 36 affidavit ballots cast Tuesday, only 16 were deemed valid and counted Wednesday. Of those 16, nine votes went to former city administrator Quordiniah Lockley and seven went to former mayor Zach Patterson.
That boosted Lockley’s lead over Patterson overall to four votes, 587-583, more than the two affidavit ballots remaining that could be counted if the voters bring identification to City Hall.
“I thank the Lord for this victory,” Lockley said this morning. “It was a hard-fought race, and the people have spoken. I want to thank the voters for their belief in my ability to unify the city and move the city forward.”
Patterson posted a video message on the site Wednesday claiming his opponents sowed division among Democrats and that Republicans meddled in Democratic affairs.
He did not respond to a phone call seeking comment.
Among the affidavit ballots, Lockley won all three that were cast in Ward 1, one of six cast in Ward 2, four of 10 cast in Ward 3 and one of 10 in Ward 4.
Patterson added one affidavit vote in Ward 3 and six in Ward 4.
Five affidavit ballots in Ward 2, five in Ward 3, three in Ward 4 and all seven in Ward 5 were either disallowed or were the ballots needing identification to be presented.
Lockley is now the Democratic nominee for mayor, unless Patterson files a successful challenge or recount effort.
Patterson “has the right to ask for a recount, and I would not be upset, because it was close,” Lockley said.
“That wouldn’t bother me at all. I think, at the end, I will still be the one with the victory. I’m preparing for the June 19 election.”
Lockley said Patterson ran a good race, and he hoped Patterson would join his efforts to build harmony in the city.
Barring a successful challenge, Lockley will face Republican nominee Tommy McKenzie, the sitting at-large selectman, in the general election on June 19.
Other than the mayor’s race, the rest of the June 19 general election ballot was set on May 1, with nominees selected and some races settled.
Selectmen in Wards 1 and 4 are already known, with incumbent Ted Tullos winning in Ward 1 and newcomer Shawn Williams succeeding Donovan Hill in Ward 4, Neither has opposition in the general election.
The winner in Ward 3 now depends on the result of a challenge by Terri Waterman-Baylor, who trailed Devante Johnson by four votes after counting was completed.
Baylor is inspecting the ballot box today, and could take further action to seek a recount or otherwise challenge the result depending on her observations.
There was no Republican candidate in Ward 3.
Hill, Democratic nominee for selectman at-large, will face Republican nominee Vickie McCalip Webb for the citywide seat.
Ward 2 incumbent Michael Cameron, a Republican, will face Democratic nominee Bruce Mullins.
In Ward 5, Democratic incumbent Ronnie Brock will face Republican nominee Jimmy Price.
