Magnolia has a new alderman at-large and mostly new city board, and incumbent Mayor Anthony Witherspoon will see another four years leading the town following voting Tuesday.
Witherspoon, a Democrat, received 277 votes (68 percent) to Republican challenger Dennis Quinn’s 59 (32 percent).
Political newcomer Democrat Darrell Pounds defeated incumbent Mercedes Ricks, who ran as an independent, 234 (68 percent) to 109 (32 percent).
Pike County Election Commissioner chairman Trudy Berger said there were 12 affidavit ballots were left to count this morning, but they won’t affect the outcome of the election.
There also were eight curbside ballots and six absentees ballots.
Pounds thanked supporters following his victory.
“I want to thank God and all the people in Magnolia who voted for me,” he said.
He said he loves kids and he wants to use his position to help the children in Magnolia.
“I want to create something for them to do,” he said. “There’s nothing for them to do here.”
Ricks said she wasn’t sad after learning the outcome of the race.
“I want to thank the citizens of Magnolia for coming out and voting for me. I ran with integrity and honesty,” she said.
Ricks said she loves Magnolia and its citizens and wished the new board luck.
She said she can now she can devote more time to her restaurant.
“I’m still going to be at the meetings on Mondays,” she said. “Now I’ll just be there as a concerned citizen.”
Besides Witherspoon, Ward 4 Alderman Joe Cornnachione and Ward 1 incumbent Becky Magee Weatherspoon also are returning to office after running unopposed.
Ward 2 incumbent Sharon Burton stepped down and her husband, Clarence Burton Jr., ran uncontested for the seat. Antonio Martin will represent Ward 3, taking over for Lonnie Cox, who is leaving the board after moving out of town.
Berger said turnout was low. She said there are 1,350 active voters in Magnolia but 356 came out to vote.
“I think the rain may have played a part in it,” she said.
She said another reason turnout was low in Magnolia was that there wasn’t much of a race.
“If you look at the votes, it appears the mayor had nothing to worry about and every alderman went unopposed. The only race was Pounds and Ricks,” she said.
Witherspoon couldn’t be reached for comment this morning.
