Democrat Lynn Spruill has won a third term in the Starkville mayoral election, defeating Republican challenger Roger Bassett.
After all valid votes were counted, the unofficial total number of ballots stood at 2,216. Spruill received 1,823 (82.27%); Bassett received 393 (17.73%).
City Clerk Lesa Hardin said nine affidavit ballots were cast Tuesday, which the city will process on June 11.
Spruill thanked her supporters, saying it is “humbling and gratifying” to see citizens voice that they are happy with the city’s current direction through their votes.
“It’s very gratifying that the people see that the projects that we’ve done and the things that we’re accomplishing matter to them, and that they want us to continue to do that,” Spruill said. “And that’s what I take from this. I believe that they see that there have been positive results, and that they’ve seen things that make them happy, and that they see a path forward and a way that they wanted to continue in that vein.”
Spruill said she is looking forward to continuing ongoing projects, like the Main Street Redesign, the Highway 182 Revitalization project, the potential Rails to Trails conversion, parks projects and other infrastructure projects that “are not particularly sexy.”
Bassett said the election did not turn out the way he had hoped, but he hoped to see road repairs and other issues that his campaign brought up addressed in the future.
“I thought it would … be a little better, but the citizens have already spoken, so that’s what they want,” Bassett said.
Ward 3
In Ward 3, Republican James Kyle Skinner defeated Democrat Laurel Lynn Rowse by a 568-242 margin (70.12% to 29.88%).
Skinner said he was excited for the win and he was grateful to all those who helped him reach that point, including God, his wife and family, and the voters, saying he “couldn’t have done it without them.”
Skinner said he has goals for the future he’d like to discuss, but first he’s looking forward to getting to meet with the rest of the incoming board.
“Right now, I’m just looking forward to sitting down with the mayor and the rest of the aldermen and getting to know each other and getting started,” Skinner said. “But I’d love to look at ways to continue to grow and help Starkville to move on in good ways.”
Skinner, who beat incumbent Jeffrey Rupp in the Republican primary, congratulated Rowse on a race well run and applauded her courage to put herself out there during the election. Rowse thanked her constituents for showing up for such an important election and she encouraged them to continue bringing the issues she campaigned on before the board.
“I encourage my supporters and others that agree with the issues this campaign was talking about and wanting to move forward to continue to show up to city board of aldermen meetings, and to continue to be involved in issues that come before the board,” Rowse said.
All other races were uncontested heading into the general election, leaving the Ward 1 seat to incumbent Kim Moreland, an independent, Ward 2 to Democratic incumbent Sandra Sistrunk, Ward 4 to Democratic incumbent Mike Brooks, Ward 5 to Republican William Pochop, Ward 6 to Democratic incumbent Roy A. Perkins and Ward 7 to Democratic incumbent Henry Vaughn.
This story has been changed since its original posting to reflect the correct number of votes cast in the mayoral race.
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 47 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 47 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
