To say that Democrats will sweep this year’s West Point municipal elections is not a prediction.
The local Republican Party failed to field a single candidate in the city’s mayoral and selectmen races.
The city’s May 7 primary could decide many of West Point’s elected positions. Runoffs will be held as needed on May 21.
Incumbent Scott Ross qualified for the city’s mayoral race on Jan. 2 and withdrew from his attempt at a third term almost two weeks later. Two Democrats – Darlene Cox and Robbie Robinson – filed their own respective qualification papers in January.
Robinson, Clay County’s former circuit clerk, did not seek re-election in 2011 for the position he held for decades. Cox, a health consultant and activist, moved to West Point in 1997 with her husband.
Ward 5’s selectman race fielded the largest amount of candidates after three challengers qualified before Friday’s deadline.
Democrats Mark Acker, Margaret Shelton and Gary Dedeux all submitted their respective paperwork on Friday, which was the last day to qualify. Before Friday, only incumbent Ward 5 Selectman Jasper Pittman had qualified.
New leadership is guaranteed for Ward 1 after selectman Rod Bobo declined to run for re-election.
Three Democrats – Jimmy Davidson, Linda Hannah and William Young – qualified in January for the race, but Davidson withdrew Feb. 7.
Incumbents Homer Cannon and Charles Collins face multiple inter-party challenges for their seats.
Democrats William Binder and Marion “Bubba” Wilkerson qualified for the Ward 2 race in January and will face Cannon. In the Ward 3 selectman race, Collins will vie for votes against Jimmy Clark and Ken Pool.
Ward 4 Selectman Keith McBrayer will go head to head against Democrat A.C. House in his ward’s primary.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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