After conceding his campaign and endorsing fellow Democrat Lynn Spruill for mayor Tuesday, former candidate Damion Poe took to social media Wednesday and slammed mayoral candidate Johnny Moore, alleging the local attorney snubbed him at events and warning voters to “beware of Republicans in Democrat clothing.”
Poe, whose election night hopes were dashed after he only took in about 7.5 percent of the vote, accused the Moore camp of treating him “like a peasant at white events” and hosting a “BBQ in the hood to get votes.”
“The very first time I met him, I introduced myself and shook his hand and he shook hands and turned his back on me. Every event that I’ve tried to chat with him, other than on stage at forums, I felt snubbed,” he posted.
Moore responded to Poe’s claims, saying the comments were “nothing less than a way to manufacture issues to help Lynn Spruill.”
“I have tried to run a factual campaign and respect my competitors during this election process. This process is to benefit voters, and when unfounded attacks like the one posted today are used, it only distracts our citizens from the real issues at stake in this election,” Moore said in his statement. “I hope that going forward, our citizens, and my competitors alike, will keep the focus on the issues and the real reasons all of us are seeking to serve the citizens of Starkville.”
Spruill, who will face Moore in a May 16 runoff, fired back at Moore and claimed her opponent used the opportunity to drag her through the political mud for no reason.
“Mr. Moore’s campaign has chosen to attack my campaign by using false information about my involvement in Mr. Poe’s personal observations and concerns about the mayoral race,” she said in a text message to The Dispatch. “From the time Damion walked through my front door to join my campaign … I have been gratified that we share some of the same vision for our city. I look forward to using Damion’s considerable energy and enthusiasm to help Starkville look ahead. This election must stay focused on our future.”
Poe: Moore only masquerading as Democrat
Poe stood by his post when contacted by The Dispatch, saying Moore appeared to pander for African-American votes with a pre-election event at J.L. King Park and by inviting him to his election night watch party Tuesday. Poe also appeared at Spruill’s election night event.
Poe also said he believes Moore is a “Democrat in name only.”
“I think we all know that a Republican running in Starkville would have had a hard time winning the mayor’s race,” Poe said.
“I’ve never seen him do anything in the area before. He doesn’t hang out there, but he threw an event there Saturday before the election. It stood out to me and others,” he added about Moore’s J.L. King Park event. “Every time I’ve approached Johnny and tried to have a conversation with him, he’s been very short and not interested in talking whatsoever. At the forums in front of people, he was always nice and chatted with me. (Tuesday) night, as soon as results came in, he called me downtown, wanting to be friends.”
When asked if accusing Moore of pandering in African-American-majority wards was a double standard when Poe campaigned in Ward 3 – a majority Caucasian, Republican-controlled ward – Poe said he felt comfortable campaigning there because of his connections to friends and family in the area.
“You could take it as that, but I didn’t go into Ward 3 and throw a barbecue (for votes),” Poe said.
In his statement, Moore described his interactions with Poe and Spruill supporters on Election Day as cordial, saying his campaign offered both groups campaigning on Highway 12 cold water, sunscreen and other provisions. Moore, his statement continues, even offered a Spruill sign-holder advice on seeking a future law school.
“I did not and have not snubbed any members of my competitors’ campaigns, or Damion himself, and in fact went out of my way to be friendly and courteous to those campaigning alongside me, so I am totally at a loss for words after reading Damion’s post,” Moore said in his statement. “Despite what Damion stated, I currently have multiple friends living on Carver Drive that I have had prior to Damion Poe even being born. In addition, I have spent numerous nights and weekends playing softball at J.L. King Park when I was in high school and college 40 years ago.”
Updated election totals show Spruill collected 1,697 votes Tuesday to Moore’s 1,611. Poe finished with 271 ballots, but his and the other candidates’ totals could change as the city processes affidavit ballots.
Following Tuesday’s results, both candidates pledged to refocus their campaigns on the issues and continue visiting with and speaking to voters.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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