STARKVILLE — Parker Wiseman started thinking about going into politics when he was a student at Starkville High School.
During the city of Starkville”s general election Tuesday, Wiseman finally realized his political ambitions.
The 28-year-old Democrat won the race for mayor in convincing fashion over Republican Marnita Henderson, 2,285 votes to 1,553. He will replace Mayor Dan Camp, who was eliminated in his bid for re-election as mayor of the city of more than 21,800, during the Democratic primary on May 5.
“This is the culmination of years of dreaming (and) many, many months of good, solid, hard work by a group of people that believed in the power of hope and possibility,” Wiseman said after final results were announced Tuesday night in City Hall. “Now we turn to the task of proving that dreams can become a reality. That is what will drive me every morning I wake up over the next four years.”
Henderson was not at City Hall and could not be reached for comment.
Although the mayoral contest saw Wiseman win handily, several races for seats on the Board of Aldermen were won by the narrowest of margins.
Ward 2
In Ward 2, Democratic challenger Sandra Sistrunk defeated incumbent Alderman Rodney Lincoln 146-137. Sistrunk was ecstatic when she learned she will get to represent the people of Ward 2.
“I”m delighted that (283) people turned out to vote,” Sistrunk said. “It was a good turnout. They say every vote counts and in an election like this, those people who made that effort there at the end of the day, those people that voted for the first time, it really paid off.”
Ward 4
Another close race took place in Ward 3, where Republican Eric Parker defeated Democrat John Gaskin 639-627. Parker will replace Alderman P.C. “Mac” McLaurin, who opted not to run for re-election.
In Ward 4, incumbent Richard Corey, a Democrat, defeated Republican challenger John Michael VanHorn, 126-98.
“I was very pleased to be re-elected and look forward to serving on this next board,” Corey said. “As the second most senior member on the board now, I hope I can use my knowledge and experience of the last four years to help the new, incoming board members with any questions they may have.”
Not all of the races were quite as close, however.
Ward 1
In Ward 1, where Alderman Sumner Davis opted not to run for re-election, Republican Ben Carver won over Democrat Corey Bagwell and Independent Helen Eaves. Carver received 390 votes, compared to 299 for Bagwell and 109 for Eaves.
“I”m almost speechless at this point,” Carver said, and thanked his network of friends and volunteers. “I can say I”ve learned a lot through this process about local politics. It”s going to be an exciting four years. Parker and I went to high school together, so I”m looking to further that relationship with him and continue to grow Starkville in a positive manner.”
Ward 5
In Ward 5, Democrat Jeremiah Dumas defeated Republican Mike Allen, 352-227. Dumas, who is one of the founders of Starkville Community Market, is pleased with the way the city is heading.
“I”m excited about it,” Dumas said. “With the board that”s in place and that mayor that”s in place, I think we have some good things happening for the city of Starkville right now. I want to keep moving Starkville forward in a positive direction.”
Ward 6
In Ward 6, incumbent Alderman and Vice Mayor Roy A. Perkins ran uncontested for re-election.
Ward 7
And in Ward 7, Henry Vaughn Sr. defeated incumbent Alderwoman Janette Self during the Democratic primary on May 5. Vaughn secured his seat on the board by winning the primary because no Republicans were on the ballot in Ward 7.
The new Board of Aldermen will feature only two returning members in Corey and Perkins, plus five new faces in Carver, Sistrunk, Parker, Dumas and Vaughn. With Wiseman taking over the reins as mayor, six of the eight faces leading the city will be new.
Youngest mayor in the state?
Wiseman, 28, will be one of the youngest mayors in Mississippi, which has 296 municipalities.
The Mississippi Municipal League does not have records of mayors” ages, but Robert Miles of Polkville (population 130) in Smith County was the only mayor officials immediately named who might compete with Wiseman for the title.
Miles is 27; he was 23 when elected mayor.
Heather McTeer Hudson was 27 when elected mayor of Greenville (population 41,000) in 2004, according to her assistant.
Brandon Presley was elected mayor of Nettleton (population 1,900) at age 23 before he became a state public service commissioner in 2008, according to his biography.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.