Incumbent Como Mayor Azria "Bobby" Lewers and challenger Judy Sumner will face each other in the May 17 runoff election following Tuesday voting that eliminated Dorothy Kerney-Wilbourn.
Sumner led the balloting with 246 votes, followed closely by Lewers with 242.
Kerney-Wilbourn received 116 votes. Results are unofficial.
The Town of Como will have at least two new leaders following Tuesday’s primary election. That number could double following the runoff election in just under two weeks.
The three-person race for Ward One’s seat saw Clark Gregory (39 votes) edge out Chester Wooten (15 votes) and incumbent Tonia Heard (12 votes).
Ward Four will also have new representation on the Como Board of Aldermen. Everette Hill (80 votes) defeated incumbent Robert Mays Jr. (55 votes).
Mayoral candidate Sumner said she believes the primary outcome indicates that Como is ready for a change.
"We have changes to the Board of Aldermen, and I think people are ready for a change in the mayor’s office as well," she said. "Como is at a crossroads right now. The town will either move forward or we will be passed over.
"All I can say for sure is the next two weeks are going to be very interesting," Sumner added.
Mayor Lewers said his record will speak for itself in the runoff election.
"I am confident that I can win in the next election," he said. "I have been good for the town that has been good to me.
"We have Como on the move and that needs to continue," he said.
In the alderman-at-large race, John Walton ran unopposed in the primary.
He will face independent candidate Dr. Forrester Ruhl in the general election June 7.
Ward Three incumbent Ruby Higgenbottom (72 votes) and Josephine Cleveland (56 votes) defeated Margie Best (32 votes) and will face off in the run-off election.
Como’s only incumbent winner on Tuesday was Ward Two Alderman Richard Taylor, who faced no opposition in the election.
There were several altercations during election day. Former Election Commissioner appointee Otis Jackson’s close proximity to the Como City Hall was questioned by election bailiff Dee Ruhl.
Jackson was handing out campaign literature for Azria Lewers and Ruby Higgenbottom.
Ruhl argued that Jackson was in violation of the 150 feet distance rule.
Ruhl said that Jackson had to be at least 150 feet away from the city hall.
According to the Mississippi Code of 1972, Section 23-15-895, "It is unlawful for any candidate for elective office or any representative of a candidate to post or distribute cards, posters, or other campaign literature within 150 feet of any entrance to a building in which an election is being conducted."
Jackson and other campaign workers were perched across the street in front of the Como Steak House.
Panola County Sheriff’s Deputy Eric "Buck" Harris was called to the scene at Ruhl’s request.
Jackson and Quinn Johnson protested, and an exchange became heated between Ruhl and Jackson.
Jackson and fellow campaign workers dispersed briefly, only to return approximately a half hour later, saying that the street was public property and that it was perfectly legal for them to gather there.
Later in the afternoon, there was an altercation between Police Chief Cleve Gale and Ruhl. She later said that Gale told her that this was "my town."
Blue flags had been strategically placed on both ends of the street to mark the 150 feet distance from the entrance of City Hall.
Campaign workers were standing inches from the flags in support of their favorite candidate.
Mike Sumner, husband of mayoral candidate Judy Sumner, had a large "Vote for Judy Sumner" campaign poster on the back of his truck, just outside the boundary.
Sumner spoke to voters through a bullhorn, urging voters to "vote for Judy Sumner, give her a chance. Are you tired of those high gas and water bills?"
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