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Democrats have good night in...

Democrats have good night in Mississippi mayor elections

By: Frank Corder - June 3, 2025

  • Here’s a recap of unofficial results as of late Tuesday night.

Mississippi may be considered a red state but in Tuesday’s Municipal General Election, it was Democrats who had a big night.

Here is a look at the top mayor’s race across Mississippi. Results are unofficial as of this reporting. Mississippi does not have runoff elections in municipal general elections, meaning a plurality vote in a multi-candidate race can win without achieving 50 percent plus 1.

Jackson

State Senator John Horhn (D) cruised to victory, winning the capital city mayor race with over 66 percent of the vote over five other candidates on the ballot.

Horhn defeated incumbent Mayor Chokwe Lumumba in April’s Democratic Primary runoff election, setting himself up for the general election victory.

Coming in second was Rodney DePriest, an Independent, with nearly 28 percent of the vote.

Vicksburg

Incumbent Mayor George Flaggs, a former Democrat turned Independent, lost his bid for re-election with 42.5 percent of the vote.

Leading the three-man race was Democrat Willis Thompson, a former Alderman, with nearly 44 percent. The two were separated by 61 votes.

Brookhaven

Democrat Larry Jointer appears to have upset incumbent Republican Mayor Joe Cox by less than 40 votes.

Canton

Democrat Tim Taylor appears to be the apparent winner over Republican Chip Matthews and independent candidate Walter Peeples.

Incumbent Mayor William Truly (D) did not seek re-election.

Kosciusko

Mayor Tim Kyle, an Independent, appears to have lost to Marvin Myles Jr., the Democrat nominee, by just over 30 votes.

Meridian

Former Mayor Percy Bland, a Democrat, will be back at City Hall in Meridian after losing his re-election bid four years ago. Bland won back the mayor’s seat Tuesday over Independent candidate Jimmy Copeland by less than 100 votes.

Gautier

Incumbent Mayor Casey Vaughan, an Independent, easily won re-election over Republican Phil Torjusen in a rematch from four years ago. Torjusen served as mayor before Vaughan.

Greenwood

Incumbent Independent Mayor Carolyn McAdams lost to Democrat Kenderick Cox, who showed 53 percent of the vote at press time.

Clarksdale

State Rep. Orlando Pace (D) won the mayor’s race and will replace two term Mayor Chuck Espy (D) who did not run for re-election.

Paden won over two Independent candidates.

Lumberton

Democrat James H. Sandifer Jr. has defeated incumbent Mayor Quincy Rogers, winning over 80 percent of the vote.

Wiggins

Incumbent Independent Mayor Darrell Berry won re-election over Republican challenger Heather Patterson.

Horn Lake

Democrat nominee Jimmy Stokes defeated Republican nominee Danny Klein, the current Alderman-at-Large, to become the new mayor of Horn Lake by roughly 80 votes.

Columbus

Ward 5 City Councilman Stephen Jones, a Democrat, defeated two Independents to win the mayor’s seat. Jones replaces Mayor Keith Gaskin who did not seek re-election.

Starkville

Democrat incumbent Lynn Spruill easily defeated her Republican challenger, winning over 80 percent of the vote.

Collins

Democrat incumbent Mayor Hope Magee Jones defended her seat to win re-election over Republican challenger Gerald Ellzey.

Magee

Republican nominee Mark Grubbs, the current Ward 1 Alderman, defeated Independent Jim Snider to win the open seat. Incumbent Independent Mayor Dale Berry dropped out of the race in May, citing health concerns. 

Pearl

Incumbent Republican Mayor Jake Windham won a third term against Democrat nominee Willie Robinson, winning over 78 percent of the vote.

Philadelphia

Republican nominee Jim Fulton, a three-term Alderman, appears to have defeated Democrat nominee Leroy Clemons. Incumbent Mayor James A. Young (D) did not make the Democratic Primary runoff election, finishing third in the field.

About the Author(s)
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Frank Corder

Frank Corder is a native of Pascagoula. For nearly two decades, he has reported and offered analysis on government, public policy, business and matters of faith. Frank’s interviews, articles, and columns have been shared throughout Mississippi as well as in national publications. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, providing insight and commentary on the inner workings of the Magnolia State. Frank has served his community in both elected and appointed public office, hosted his own local radio and television programs, and managed private businesses all while being an engaged husband and father. Email Frank: frank@magnoliatribune.com