Young out with runoff necessary

The winner of the Democrat mayoral primary will be decided in a runoff on Tuesday, April 22 between Cassie Henson Hickman and Leroy Clemons.

As of Tuesday morning, after all but one affidavit ballots had been counted, Hickman led with 249 votes, followed closely by Leroy Clemons with 247. Incumbent Mayor James A. Young received 235 votes, complete but uncertified totals show.

The Democrat winner will face Republican Jim Fulton, who ran unopposed and received 466 votes in the GOP primary, in the general election on June 3.

This year, 1,166 votes were cast in the Democrat and Republican primaries, a slight drop from the 2021 primary election.

Of that total, 1,093 were cast on Election Day, 69 were absentee, and 4 were affidavits. According to City Hall, one affidavit ballot with no identification has yet to be accepted.

In the Ward 1 race, Democrat Avia J. Jackson, who also ran unopposed, received 113 votes and will face Republican Bert Turcotte in the general election.

Turcotte won the Republican primary with 127 votes, defeating Cody Pilgrim, who received 37.

Incumbent Ward 1 Alderman Justin Clearman did not seek re-election.

In Ward 2, Republican Mark Cheatham defeated Bill Griffis, 149 to 88, and, with no Democratic challenger, will run unopposed in the general election.

Democrat Darnell Horne won the Ward 3 primary, defeating incumbent Alderman James A. Tatum 99 to 58.

Horne will face Republican Kenneth L. “Kenny” Hillman, who won his primary with 77 votes, defeating Hunter Thrash (17 votes), Brad Smith (1 vote), and Phillip Smith (3 votes).

In Ward 4, Incumbent Alderman Shaun Seales, running as an Independent, will be unopposed in the general election.

Republican James Waltman, also unopposed, secured the Alderman-at-Large nomination with 480 votes. He will face Democrat Zaus Kirkland, who won his primary by defeating Ajatha M. Nichols 372 to 341.

The general election is set for Tuesday, June 3. The deadline to register to vote is May 5.