Out of more than 10,000 registered voters in Mississippi House District 82, less than 2,500 turned up at Tuesday's special election for that seat. Those voters that did make it to the polls sent the top two candidates, Wilbert Jones and Bill Marcy, into a June 30 run-off.
There were five candidates in the special election: Robert Barfield, John Harris, Roscoe Jones, Wilbert Jones and Bill Marcy. Since none of those candidates got 50 percent of the vote plus one, the two candidates that got the most votes will face each other in the runoff in three weeks.
Wilbert Jones enjoyed the most support, with 41.64 percent of the electronic vote, while Marcy got 33.03 percent. Barfield, Harris, and Roscoe Jones each got less than 15 percent of the electronic vote.
The candidate that wins the run-off will replace the late Rep. Charles L. Young, Sr., who served on the legislature for 30 years before he passed away April 29. The race is nonpartisan.
Jones, who has the support of the Young family and the Mississippi Democratic Party, and Marcy, who has the support of the Mississippi Republican Party, both said their main priority while campaigning will be getting out the vote.
"I'm very thankful for the people who voted for me," Jones said. "I'm disappointed that the voter turnout was so low... We're going to push participating in the process."
Marcy agreed.
"We're excited and we're motivated and we're looking forward to getting the vote out," said Marcy. "We're looking forward to getting twice as many votes (as were cast Tuesday) and that will help us."
Jones said he wants to let voters know that his campaign is "about this community...being able to send a message to Jackson."
He said as a legislator he will focus on bringing economic development to the area and improving the educational system.
Marcy said he plans to win the election by "outwork(ing) my opponent. I'm going to work day and night, night and day."
He said that, as a legislator, he will focus on getting the budget passed, stabilizing the economy, and getting a Voter ID requirement passed in Mississippi.
Jones has been the director of Greater Meridian Health Clinic for the past 22 years. Marcy is a retired law enforcement officer from Chicago.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Jones, Marcy get ready for run-off
Voter turnout low in District 82 special election
- Local News
-
- Woman: decongestant brought meth charge in Alabama
-
Star Of The Week: Dominique Goodwin-Jenkins
-
SoMiSPO brings steel drum rhythms to MCC
-
About face
Nothing is forever in the military and after a months-long battle to secure a C-27J Spartan flying mission and its field training unit at Key Field and the 186th Air Refueling Wing, it seems all of that is flying the way of the KC-135 tankers that used to fill the skies over Meridian.
- Marriages & Divorces: Sunday, February 5, 2012
-
Evidence bringing message of compassion
Several workshops and performances are available to the public this week, all centered around Evidence, A Dance Company, scheduled to take the MSU Riley Center stage on Friday.
-
Darlene Harrison has 25,000 reasons to love Friday the 13th
Friday the 13th has turned out to be a very lucky day for Darlene Harrison.
- Voter registration deadline nears for primary
- Teen charged with robbery, kidnapping
-
Students attend S2S training
Representatives from Naval Air Station Meridian and Northeast Lauderdale High School recently attended the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) Student-2-Student research-based training held in San Antonio, Texas.
- More Local News Headlines
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention
Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses
Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore.
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
