Drew Brickson News Today

It was a mixed bag of results for Forrest and Lamar county city elections, with most incumbents, including Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker, retaining their seats.  Municipal elections were held Tuesday in Hattiesburg, Purvis, Sumrall and Lumberton. Petals races were decided in Aprils primary and runoff elections. Polling places reported no issues in Tuesdays election, according to city clerks. Turnout, they said, was low. "Around 10% of registered voters came out," said Purvis city clerk Cathe...

The city of Petal will see some new leadership in place July 1 after Tuesdays Republican primary. Ward 5 Alderman Tony Ducker is likely to take over as the citys new mayor with a narrow 50% of the votes, but with 52 affidavit ballots to be counted, he could appear in the April 27 runoff with Jake Wilson, who is holding 23% of the votes. Incumbent Mayor Hal Marx announced in fall 2019 he would not seek a fourth term. The former journalist and schoolteacher was first elected in 2009. Ward 3 Ald...