It wasn’t really close.
Mayor Robert Smith, after a contentious and at times confrontational campaign, easily dispatched Democratic challengers Carl Lee and Selvain McQueen in Tuesday’s primary election.
Smith garnered 3,281 votes — nearly 70 percent. McQueen, a former city police chief, took in 1,212 votes. Lee received 210.
Smith will avoid a May 16 runoff and advance to the June 6 general election against independent candidate Montrell Coburn.
“I’m excited that I won,” Smith said Tuesday night. “I want to thank the voters that supported me and even the ones that did not support me. I hope that we can come together in peace and harmony and work together for the betterment of the city.”
Smith thanked his campaign team for their work and said he’ll soon refocus his attention on next month’s election.
“This is the primary, so we’ll take a couple of days off and then we’re gonna get up for the general election and hope we’re victorious,” he said.
McQueen, speaking Wednesday morning to The Dispatch, was terse in his remarks.
“I pray for the city,” he said.
Voters cast 4,775 ballots in Tuesday’s election, including 1,069 absentee ballots. Voter turnout came in at just less than 28 percent.
Ward 2
In Ward 2, incumbent Councilman Joseph Mickens easily won his third term on the council after absentee ballots pushed him to 54 percent of the vote, with 355 total. Mickens fended off challengers Eric Thomas (195 votes) and Troy Miller (96 votes).
Mickens was elated after the win.
“I feel like the citizens of Ward 2 have shown me that they accepted me,” Mickens said. “We’re going to stick with the vision that I have for it and we’re going to keep going in the same direction, but I do realize that there’s room for improvement.”
Mickens was complimentary about his opponents, especially Thomas.
“I think he’s an up-and-coming politician in the city of Columbus,” Mickens said. “His time just wasn’t this time.”
The race appeared to be set for a runoff before absentee ballots were counted. Thomas and Mickens were separated by only three votes at that point — with Thomas leading the incumbent 180 votes to 177.
Ward 4
The Ward 4 council race is heading to a May 16 runoff between incumbent Councilman Marty Turner and challenger Fredrick Jackson.
Turner received the most votes of the four-candidate field with 279. Jackson received 267 votes. Turner and Jackson accounted for 32.7 and 31.3 percent of the vote, respectively.
Lavonne Latham-Harris and Pierre D. Beard received 169 and 135 votes, respectively.
“With three other candidates besides myself — four people in one race — I expected for a runoff to occur because the votes were so divided,” Turner said. “I feel good about it because last time I had to do the same thing. I’m experienced in doing a runoff. You do everything that you did in those months (leading up to the primary) in two weeks and I’m ready to do it.”
Jackson said he’s looking forward to the runoff.
“Thank you all for the ones who went and voted for me (Tuesday) and I promise to continue to represent you in a professional manner at all times,” Jackson said.
Wards 5 and 6
Ward 5 Councilman Stephen Jones will advance to face Republican challenger Mark Ward in June’s general election after triumphing over Gary Jefferson in Tuesday’s primary. Jones received 597 votes to Jefferson’s 456.
In Ward 6, Whirllie Byrd will advance to face incumbent Republican Bill Gavin after beating Andre Roberts on Tuesday. Byrd received 315 votes, compared to Roberts’ 201.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with 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 34 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 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
READER FAVORITES
Related Photos
Marty Turner, left, and Fredrick Jackson
Joseph Mickens
Stephen Jones, left, and Mark Ward
Whirllie Byrd, left, and Bill Gavin
