Mayor Lynn Spruill wanted to treat the days leading up to Friday no differently than any of the others since she took office more than a year ago.
She kept herself busy and focused on running the city, rather than fretting about how Judge Barry Ford might rule in a challenge to her narrow May 2017 runoff election victory over Johnny Moore — a challenge that centered on whether absentee and affidavit ballots were handled properly.
“Every day is a day to go to work,” she said. “I’m pretty good at compartmentalizing things, so I was not focused on this. I let my lawyers focus on this and I’ve been focusing on city business.”
On Friday, Ford ruled in Spruill’s favor, opting to leave her in office rather than replace her with Moore or call for a new election.
While Moore could appeal that decision to the Mississippi Supreme Court, Spruill noted an unflagging intent to keep her focus consistent.
“I obviously am relieved that I can go back to focusing on city business and hopefully do so without any distractions again,” Spruill said. “Mr. Moore will do what he needs to do and we’ll keep on doing what we need to do to work for the city.”
Ford’s ruling came before a packed courtroom, including many who were there to support the mayor.
When the hearing adjourned, Spruill’s supporters greeted her with hugs and congratulations.
“It’s been enormous,” Spruill said of the community support she had during the challenge. “I have been incredibly honored by that because I had no expectations. A lot of people just sit back and let whatever happens happen, but I’ve had a lot of people who have been incredibly supportive and it’s been very gratifying.”
Attorney Jim Mozingo, who alongside Lydia Quarles represented Spruill during her challenge defense, said Spruill’s win in court Friday was a win for the whole city.
“I think Lynn Spruill makes a fabulous mayor,” Mozingo said. “I think she’s done wonderful things in the year she’s already been in office, and I’m glad she’s going to have an opportunity to keep doing that.”
Ford’s decision
In Ford’s ruling, he narrowed Spruill’s initial six-vote victory over Moore in the May 2017 Democratic primary runoff to a five-vote win.
The lost vote came from a ballot in Ward 1 that was marked “none of the above,” but still added to Spruill’s vote total.
For Mozingo, a narrow victory is still a victory.
“This is kind of like the Bar Exam,” Mozingo said. “It’s a pass/fail test. Whether you make 140 or 132, it’s still a pass, and the idea is to get your ticket.”
Moore’s side argued eight affidavit ballots were not counted that should have been. On Friday, Ford said he would not count them and reversed an earlier decision to count an affidavit ballot cast by David A. Moore.
In all other instances, including two absentee ballots that were called into question, Ford said admitting those votes would make no impact on the election’s outcome. As such, he said, Spruill will remain Starkville’s mayor.
During Friday’s hearing, Ford asked each of Starkville’s municipal commissioners if they agreed with his decision. Each commissioner said they did.
He also said that he found that the election was properly conducted.
“The court finds that there is not a scintilla of any evidence of fraud or wrongdoing that occurred in this election or voting process,” Ford said.
Ford also addressed 52 affidavit ballots that Spruill’s side argued should be discounted if other ballots are thrown out due to flaws. He deemed 51 of those valid. One ballot in Ward 2 lacked a signature across the seal, Ford said, was rejected.
“Assuming that ballot for Ms. Spruill, that number would be deducted from her tally, still giving her victory,” he said.
Moore’s challenge started in June of last year. It’s taken a little longer than a year to get a ruling, but Mozingo said he feels the case moved about as quickly as it could.
“I don’t think this has drug out,” he said. “With all the procedural steps and issues we had to do, I think he’s moved this right along and gotten done as fast as he possibly could have, consistent with due process.”
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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