Challengers win Jackson council runoffs
Two Jackson City Council incumbents were ousted in Democratic runoffs Tuesday, the same day some other metro-area races were decided.
Eight-year Ward 4 Councilman Bo Brown lost to his neighbor, Frank Bluntson. Retired educator Charles Tillman defeated Ward 5 Councilwoman Bettye Dagner-Cook, a high school biology teacher, in her bid for a second term.
Tempers flared between Bluntson and Brown supporters at their polling place, Grove Park Community Center. Brown filed a complaint about Bluntson sitting in the precinct. Bluntson said he was simply observing and not campaigning, which would violate election laws.
“It’s a bitter rivalry,” said H.T. Drake, the Hinds County Democratic Executive Committee member after hearing of Brown’s complaint. Drake said he expects the seven-member Democratic committee will look into the allegation today after certifying the results.
With a little more than 600 people casting ballots at Precinct 27, where more than 800 voted in the May 3 primary, Drake said he doubted any problems reported there affected the outcome. “The numbers were not off,” he said.
Clarion Ledger
5/18/5
Magnolia Tribune
