OKTIBBEHA COUNTY — Ben Carver is one step closer to being an Oktibbeha County supervisor.
The sitting Ward 1 alderman for Starkville edged out businessman Ed Whitehurst on Tuesday for a 450 to 428 victory in the Republican runoff for District 1 supervisor.
Carver also placed first in the four-candidate primary Aug. 8 to advance to the runoff.
“Hats off to the competition and his family,” Carver said. “He ran a wonderful race. Competitive elections make for good democracy. … I’m very proud for the win.”
Carver moves on to face Democrat Erik Young in the Nov. 7 general election. The winner there will replace John Montgomery, who is running this year for tax assessor/collector.
After Tuesday’s win, Carver said the hard work for the next round starts now.
“(I) want to get out and mend some fences and just make (myself) known to people who didn’t vote for me,” he said.
Whitehurst, of Maben, said he was pleased with turnout and especially how voters in his community came out to support him.
“This is a very close race against an opponent who has been a four-term alderman,” he said. “… I would have loved to have had the win, but that’s just the way it worked out.”
In Tuesday’s other Republican runoff, Kenneth Watkins bested Joe Morse by a 628 to 509 margin for District 1 constable. Watkins moves on to face Democrat William Ford on Nov. 7.
“Me and my family are ecstatic,” Watkins said, adding he’s ready to “roll to victory” in the general election.
Morse did not return a call and message from The Dispatch by press time.
The general election winner will replace Shank Phelps, who is running for sheriff.
Vote totals do not include five affidavits that were not processed by press time.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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