At a candidate forum last month, Stephen Jones compared the prospects of beating Leroy Brooks in the Democratic mayoral primary to David slaying the giant Goliath in the Old Testament.
On Tuesday, Jones’ stones struck their target.
Jones earned 1,857 (55.2%) votes in the primary to Brooks’ 1,506 (44.8%) in the primary, despite Brooks outpacing him in fundraising by a 3-to-1 margin. Jones now moves on to face independents Darren Leach and Bill Strauss in the June 3 general election.
“This generation, they want somebody young. I think that’s it,” said Jones, 55, after watching the results come in at the Municipal Complex. “I have nothing but respect for Mr. Brooks. But young people are the ones who have chosen who they wanted. No matter how much money we raised, the people still speak.”
For Brooks, 71, it was only the second election loss of a lengthy political career, and the first since losing a constable race when he was in his 20s. He is serving his 11th term as the Lowndes County supervisor for District 5.
Speaking to The Dispatch by phone Tuesday night, he said he is taking the loss in stride.
“It was a low turnout. That’s the only thing I can see,” Brooks said. “But my theory is people go out and vote for whomever they please. Obviously, whatever Stephen was doing, people preferred him, and I’m good with that. … This is in my rearview mirror.”
Jones, who is finishing his second term as Ward 5 city councilman, said he hopes the general election race isn’t as tough as the primary.
Either way, he plans to stay on message.
“I want to be a mayor for everybody, no matter who it is,” Jones said. “I want the best for Columbus.”
He even hopes Brooks will support him moving forward.
“He’s a Democrat, and I’m a Democrat,” Jones said. “I expect us to come together.”
Brooks seemed open to that possibility.
“I will work with anybody who is trying to do positive things for this community,” he said.
Mickens out in Ward 2
Political newcomers Roderick Smith and Laisha “Ms. She-She” O’Neal are moving on in the Ward 2 council race.
Four-term incumbent Joseph Mickens is not.
Smith’s 251 votes (46.3%) led the three-candidate field in the Democratic primary, but they weren’t enough to avoid an April 22 runoff with O’Neal, who received 156 votes (28.8%). Mickens placed third with 135 votes (24.9%).
“It feels great,” Smith told The Dispatch after the votes were counted. “We’ve got to get back on the game field and continue with our game plan. And on April 22, we’ll come out victorious. I want to tell the Ward 2 residents, ‘Thank you for what you’ve done and the trust you’ve put in me. The fight is not finished yet.’”
O’Neal, in a phone interview, said making the runoff is “rewarding.”
“We’re going to let the people decide,” she said.
With no Republican or independent running in Ward 2, the winner of the Democratic runoff will take the seat.
Mickens, also speaking to The Dispatch by phone, was gracious in defeat, congratulating his opponents. Looking back on his time in office, he said he believes he has brought much to his ward.
“It’s been a good 16 years. I enjoyed every moment,” he said. “… It’s been a good run. I have no regrets.”
Other races
In Ward 1, incumbent Ethel Stewart’s 512 (71.9%) votes bested challenger Tommie Smith’s 200 (28.1%) in the Democratic primary. She will face independent Keith Gaskin, who is the sitting mayor, in the general election.
Lavonne Harris received 310 votes (54.3%) to defeat Marty Turner’s 261 (45.7%) in the Democratic primary in Ward 4. Harris will face independent incumbent Pierre Beard and Republican Robert Johnson IV in the general election.
In Ward 5, Gary Jefferson tallied 467 votes (77.3%) to cruise past fellow Democrats Sedrick Fenster and Cequeila Clark in their primary, advancing to the general election without needing a runoff. Fenster placed second with 94 votes (15.6%) and Clark third with 43 (7.1%).
Jefferson will face Republican Mary Beth Jeter on June 3.
Jason Spears easily dispatched Kimberly McCarty Davis by a 163-55 margin (74.8% to 25.2%) in the Ward 6 Republican primary. He faces independent Donald Pope in the general election.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
