Based on unofficial results, two incumbents won their seats in Tuesday’s night Democratic primary runoff election.
Ardis Russell, a member of the Democratic Election Commission, said the results will probably not be certified until Wednesday, March 7. The commission still has to review affidavits, curbside votes and any potential challenges.
The mayoral and Ward 4 alderman posts were the only two runoff elections this week for the Democratic primary.
Tuesday night’s results show Mayor Diane Delaware gained 967 votes against challenger Joe Thomas Jr., who earned 826 votes.
“I humbly thank all the individuals who voted for me, and I am very appreciative,” Delaware said. “I believe my job is to continue moving Yazoo City forward, solve problems and work with the citizens to understand their needs to improve the quality of life. I appreciate the voters who thought I had done that, and I will continue to do it with all my heart and soul because this is our home.”
Those same results show Alderman Aubry Brent Jr. gained 271 votes against challenger Joe Freeman, who earned 241 votes.
“This was a tough race, and the election was not pretty with all the negativism that was going on,” Brent said. “But I would like to thank my supports who believed in me, especially my base that I have had for the past 20 years. They are still willing to give me four more years.”
Brent said he is also aware that this election attracted a large number of young voters.
“It seems also that there was a mindset of the younger generation to clean house at City Hall,” he said. “They wanted to wipe us out, and they were successful in two of our seats. But I want to thank the public because we always try to do the right thing.”
Brent said he thinks the operational hours of the local nightclubs was a big issue among young voters.
“We know that was an issue, and we will revisit it,” Brent said. “I do understand that we have to represent everybody. But we must be truthful and look out for the best interest of the city.”
The unofficial results include both machine and absentee votes. Affidavits and curbside votes are not included in those figures.
If Tuesday’s results are certified as is, Delaware will face Independent candidate Theodis Freeman in the general election on April 2.
Elected officials will be sworn in on April 9.
