Independent incumbent Ward 4 Councilman Pierre Beard Sr. has officially defeated Democrat Marty Turner, who previously held the council seat, following Thursday’s count of affidavit ballots.
At the end of the count, Beard had 426 votes to Turner’s 396. Though the City Registrar’s Office is awaiting some mail-in absentee ballots, there will not be enough Ward 4 ballots to affect the outcome.
“I’m glad it’s over,” Beard told The Dispatch Thursday afternoon. “… I’m ready to hit it hard and continue working hard for the citizens of Ward 4.”
Turner did not respond to calls from The Dispatch by press time.
Beard was first elected in a special election in 2019 after former Ward 4 Councilman Fred Jackson stepped down from his position.
Turner served one term as a councilman from 2013 to 2017 and lost re-election to Jackson.
Of the 158 affidavit ballots processed Thursday, 22 were from Ward 4. Of those, 10 were accepted and nine rejected. The remaining three were all cast by voters who had requested absentee ballots, meaning city officials will hold those affidavits and wait to see if the absentee ballots arrive by mail by Tuesday. If they arrive, the absentee ballots will count. Otherwise, the affidavit ballots will count.
Election officials counted another eight curbside votes, which are cast when voters cannot go into the precinct and poll workers have to help them from their vehicles or outside.
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.