Incumbents in Biloxi and Gulfport were defeated during Tuesday’s municipal primary runoff elections, meaning new faces are coming to city hall.
In Biloxi’s Ward 3, Robert “Mike” Nail received the majority of votes over three-term incumbent Dixie Newman in the Republican primary runoff. In Gulfport’s Ward 1, Kendal Buckner beat four-term incumbent Kenneth “Truck” Casey in the Democratic primary.
Nail took an early lead Tuesday night and never let go, ending the unofficial vote tally with 61.7% (195 votes) compared to Newman’s 38.3% (121 votes). Nail is an activist and media personality who has lived in Biloxi for over five decades. He’s also the owner of a landscaping company.
Buckner received 60.3% (366 votes) to Casey’s 39.7% (241 votes) after the unofficial results were tallied. An advocate for cleaning the streets of Gulfport and creating more government transparency, Buckner received support from current state Rep. Jeffrey Hulum.
Municipal election commissions will certify election results next week before the June 3 general election. However, neither Nail nor Buckner is set to have opponents.
In Pass Christian, Ward 1 Alderwoman Betty Sparkman abruptly suspended her campaign Tuesday. The independent incumbent was set to take on Republican Barry Dreyfus in the June 3 general election, but due to how late the suspension comes, the city attorney says Sparkman’s name cannot be removed from the ballot. She was first elected in 2021 and has not provided reason as to why she decided to drop out of the race.
Other Mississippi Gulf Coast races
Outside of Harrison County, there were a handful of municipal runoffs taking place Tuesday in Jackson, Hancock, and George counties. In Moss Point, incumbent Ward 3 Alderman Timothy Dubose won a runoff against Jaylen Johnson. In Pascagoula, Darcie Crew defeated Jamey Foster in the GOP runoff for Ward 3 city council. She will now take over for the late Councilman Johnny Walker, who passed away in February.
In Bay St. Louis, Larry Smith defeated Lonnie Falgout in the GOP runoff for council-at-large. With no general opponents, Smith will take over for Gary Knoblock, who lost to Mike Favre in the GOP mayoral primary on April 1. In Diamondhead, incumbent Ward 1 Councilman Shane Finley held off Michael Fandal in a two-vote margin, according to unofficial results, in the GOP runoff and will not face any challengers in the general.
While not technically a runoff, Lucedale voters decided to allow liquor sales inside city limits. Currently, the city in George County only allows beer and wine sales, which Mayor Lee has pointed to as hampering the local economy.
