Supervisor Race Proves ‘Every Vote Counts’

By Alyssa Schnugg
News Editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

The race for Lafayette County Supervisor District 4’s democratic candidate proved the adage that “every vote counts,” especially when it comes to local elections.

Incumbent Supervisor Chad McLarty beat Duncan Gray during the primary runoff Tuesday by 42 votes. McLarty received 402 votes and Gray garnered 360 votes. McLarty will face Republican candidate Derek Mooney in November.

Chad Mclarty

McLarty has been on the board for almost eight years, winning two prior elections. This morning, he released a statement thanking God and his supporters who voted for him. He said he’s taking a week off from campaigning to spend time with his wife and then will hit the campaign ground running toward the November election.

“It was a close race and I have the utmost respect for Duncan Gray and his family,” McLarty said Wednesday morning. “I tip my hat to him for a good, clean campaign … I’m humbled by the support.”

Josh McGlawn

In the District 2 supervisor race, Joshua T. McGlawn won the runoff with 369 votes over Ava Halon Bonds Gossett who received 260 votes. McGlawn will face Republican candidate Larry Gillespie in November.

“I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me and everyone who supported me during the primary and runoff elections,” McGlawn said this morning. “Right now I will take a moment to celebrate but immediately get back to work. I will gather my team and we will strategize, which will certainly include getting back out to see the people again and get my message out there – I’m still listening.”

Adam Clay

In the Republican primary runoff in District 1, Adam Clay will be on the November ballot after winning with 656 votes against Harold Brummett who earned 419 votes. Clay will face Democrat candidate Brent Larson in the general election.

“I’m humbled and grateful to receive the Republican nomination for District 1 Supervisor,” Clay said Tuesday night. “I look forward to continuing to earn the support of the citizens of Lafayette County.”

Overall, 22% of registered Lafayette County voters showed up to the polls Tuesday to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary runoff.

While county election officials said the majority of the runoff election day went smoothly, a hiccup early in the day with one machine caught the attention of local, state and even national media outlets.

A voting machine at the District 4 voting precinct in the Burgess community in Lafayette County was removed after it would apparently override votes in the Republican primary runoff governor race, changing a vote for candidate Bill Waller Jr. to Tate Reeves.

Circuit Court Clerk Baretta Mosley said the machines were all tested and calibrated on Friday; however, at times one may be jostled and bumped during transport and the calibration can be knocked off.

Similar problems occurred with a handful of machines in other Mississippi counties. Previous issues with the electronic voting machines have promoted several states and counties to go back to using paper ballots or some combination of electronic voting with a paper ballot backup.

Lafayette County Supervisor Jeff Busby said the county has set aside funds to change how citizens vote in the future.

“We are waiting to see who the new Secretary of State will be and what they’re going to recommend,” Busby said. “It’s going to be some type of paper machine. It won’t be what you’re voting on now where you never see how you voted except on the last screen. We want to see what the recommendations will be and what funding options are available (for new machines).”