Starkville property attorney Johnny Moore will run for the city’s open mayoral seat next year.
Moore, who declined to say if he’ll run as a Democrat or Republican but ruled out an independent bid, became the first resident to commit to campaigning for outgoing Mayor Parker Wiseman’s position during a brief interview at Oktibbeha County Chancery Court Thursday.
His announcement followed a formal press conference Ward 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn held at City Hall. Wynn, who announced last week on Facebook she was considering a mayoral campaign, told Starkville department heads Thursday she will seek re-election as the Ward 2 representative.
Moore’s upcoming campaign marks his first foray into politics, but the 56-year-old has represented numerous developers working projects through the city’s planning, zoning and waiver requests and most recently stumped for a $1.35 million-maximum tax increment financing package for a proposed Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market in east Starkville.
If elected mayor, he said his mission will be to do what’s in the best interest of Starkville and its residents. The city’s momentum, in terms of new growth and development, must be maintained, he said, and Starkville, Oktibbeha County and Mississippi State University must improve their working partnerships to ensure future success.
“We’re going to have to codify our new regulations and building ordinances (stemming from the upcoming comprehensive plan’s adoption) and get those in line with today’s construction environment because we’re working off ordinances from 1968. It’s really unfair to developers and contractors, but it’s also unfair to our city employees, who catch the brunt of the unhappiness of what’s going on in that respect. It puts undue pressure on them to try to mix together ordinances that are that old with today’s needs,” Moore said. “(Starkville’s relationship with MSU is) a real advantage our community has that hasn’t been pushed as it should have. I think when we do any type of … commercial strategies, the powers that be at MSU be included in at least understanding what’s going on.”
Moore has lived in Oktibbeha County for 54 years. He received a bachelor’s degree from MSU in accounting and attended law school at Ole Miss. Moore has practiced real estate law for 30 years.
A previous resident of the outlying county area, Moore and his wife, Karen, moved back into town earlier this year.
Moore wouldn’t fully divulge how he would handle his practice if elected but said he could hand business off to his associate, Molly Jackson.
Wynn hints at 2019 campaign
In announcing her re-election bid, Wynn said she chose not to run for mayor because of political aspirations in 2019 that could cause a conflict.
Although she did not name which office she will pursue, Wynn said state statute would prohibit her from fulfilling a four-year mayoral term if she moves up the political ladder in 2019. As an elected alderman, however, she could finish her term in the dual roles, she said.
Besides state-level and regional seats, Mississippi voters will also pick numerous county positions — chancery and circuit clerks; constables; coroner; justice court judges; prosecutor; sheriff; supervisors; and tax assessor/collector.
Included in those elections are campaigns for Mississippi House of Representatives and Senate seats.
A 1998 Mississippi Attorney General’s opinion written for a Tylertown alderman states a member of a board of aldermen in a code-charter municipality, like Starkville, also serving as a state representative would not violate the separation of powers doctrine.
“It would be unfair to our city if I were to become elected (in 2019) and not be able to fulfill the complete term. A special election would be required. I will not place our city in this position,” Wynn said. “For those that may be disappointed in my decision, please remember it’s not about me; it’s what’s best for our city.
Wynn, a first-term alderman, ousted Ward 2’s previous incumbent, Sandra Sistrunk, in a 2017 runoff election after first tying with the former alderman in the Democratic primary.
Carver declines mayoral bid
Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver said he’ll focus his sights on securing a third term since Moore declared his candidacy.
Carver previously said he would consider a mayoral campaign if a strong Republican candidate did not emerge for Starkville’s highest elected office.
Carver’s commitment to Ward 1 now means six incumbents on the seven-person board of aldermen have gone on record with The Dispatch about seeking re-election. Ward 3 Alderman David Little, Ward 4 Alderman Jason Walker, Ward 6 Alderman Roy A. Perkins and Ward 7 Alderman Henry Vaughn have all also confirmed their future candidacies.
Both Wiseman and Ward 5 Alderman Scott Maynard will step out of politics next year and not seek another term.
The qualification window for next year’s municipal election cycle begins in January.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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