Magnolia Mayor Melvin Harris admitted to experiencing some anxious moments earlier in the week before Tuesday’s Democratic primary, but those fears proved to be unfounded as he won Tuesday’s primary over challenger William R. Brown.
Meanwhile, a two vote margin decided the Ward 3 contest after affidavit ballots were counted this morning.
Harris totalled 264 votes (59 percent) to Brown’s 187 (41 percent).
Poll workers finished counting the ballots by hand at approximately 10:30 p.m. at the Magnolia Community Center.
“I was very worried,” Harris said moments after all the votes were counted by hand. “(Brown) seemed so relaxed and content. He and his supporters, walking down the street singing songs, worried me.”
Harris advanced to the June 4 general election, where he will meet Republican and former alderman Dennis Quinn to fight for a second full term in office.
Harris handily carried Ward 4 49-15, which is south Magnolia.
“That put the icing on the cake,” Harris said. “We communicated with the people down there and they told us what they felt they needed.”
Harris said residents supported him because of his honesty.
“I connected with the people and was telling the citizens of Magnolia the truth,” he said. “I realize that even though I’m the mayor, everything doesn’t go my way. It’s a team effort.”
Brown unsuccessfully ran for the post twice before. He did not attend Tuesday’s vote count, and efforts to reach him for comment this morning were unsuccessful.
“(Brown) passed word (today) that he was going to continue to try and be the mayor until he wins,” Harris said. “I’m very honored.”
In Ward 3, Lonnie R. Cox had 83 votes (51 percent) to 81 (49 percent) for Bobbie Bates Fultz after affidavit ballots were counted today.
He will succeed longtime alderman Bud Flowers, who did not seek re-election.
It’s the third time Cox has run for alderman.
“I’ve always been a part of the city and community and everybody knows me,” said Cox, who is retired from the South Pike School District as its transportation director. “I’ve been here 40 years. I expected a close race.”
Fultz, a certified nurses assistant and 40-year Magnolia resident said this morning she would request a recount.
In the Ward 2 Alderman race, Sharon Burton and Milton R. Patterson led a four-man field and are headed to a May 21 runoff. The winner of that contest will take office. Burton had 60 votes (40 percent) to Patterson’s 44 votes (29 percent). Hubert Jenkins had 25 votes, and Jaqueline Kerney-Smith had 21.
Burton was not available for comment this morning.
Patterson said his campaign will pick up steam before the general election.
“I appreciate the people who did vote for me,” said Patterson, who did not attend the vote count. “I didn’t run a strenuous campaign. I tell people I’m not a politician, but if I’m put into a position, I’ll do whatever I can to help people. I probably will be getting out more notices that I’m running before the (run-off). People will be hearing from me before then.”
Police Chief Ray Reynolds ran unopposed, as did incumbent Ward 1 Alderman Becky Weatherspoon Magee.
Reynolds had a cumulative total of 391 votes, while Magee had 55.
In the alderman at-large race, Clarence Burton Sr. will face opposition from independent candidates Mercedes Ricks and Charles E. White in the general election. Burton, running unopposed in the primary, had 318 votes.
In Ward 4, Democrat Claude Mullins will face Republican Jim Andrews and independent candidate Joe Cornacchione. Mullins had 47 votes Tuesday.
