Selma mayoral race heads to a runoff
Selma voters winnowed the crowded field of five mayoral candidates down to two at the ballot box Tuesday. State Rep. the Rev. Darrio Melton and former Selma mayor Rev. James Perkins, Jr. will face off Oct. 4 in a runoff election. While the official results are not in, the unofficial results have Melton with 35 percent of the vote and Perkins with 30 percent. Incumbent Mayor George Evans, who is nearing the end of his second term, will definitively finish in third place with 18 percent of the vote, writing the end of his mayoral career. Eight years ago, Evans defeated Perkins for the position.
Longtime Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford loses re-election bid
Tuskegee Hills will have a new mayor. City councilman Tony Haygood won the Aug. 23 municipal election with 62 percent — 1,401 votes to 865 — over longtime incumbent Johnny Ford. Haygood currently serves as the city’s councilman at large and mayor pro tem. As the new mayor, he says he wants to work on financial stability, revitalizing downtown, strengthening the relationship between the city and Tuskegee University, and make sure the city will be financially stable. Outgoing mayor Ford was first elected mayor of Tuskegee in 1972 and has served in the office for 32 of the last 44 years. He also served as a state representative. “I would like to thank all of my faithful supporters, volunteers, and all of the citizens of Tuskegee who voted for me, and who worked so hard to allow us to finish the job that we have begun moving Tuskegee forward,” said Ford. “I am proud of, and grateful for, the opportunity that I have had to serve Tuskegee as mayor through the years. “I congratulate Mayor Pro tem Lawrence ‘Tony’ Haygood, on his victory, and wish him the best as the mayor of historic Tuskegee, Alabama, the home of Tuskegee University, ‘The Pride of the Swift Growing South.’”
Terri Sewell endorses Selma Mayor George Evans in third re-election bid
Alabama 7th District U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell endorsed current Selma Mayor George Evans Tuesday in his third re-election campaign. “I am proud to endorse George Evans for re-election as Mayor of my hometown of Selma,” said Sewell in a statement of endorsement. “I have known Mayor Evans all my life and he has always been a strong voice and a tireless fighter for the people of Selma.” It’s a crowded field of candidates vying for the position of Selma mayor, with four candidates running against Evans — Ward 3 Selma City Councilman Greg Bjelke, Baptist minister Jerria Martin, State Rep. Darrio Melton and former Selma mayor James Perkins Jr. But Sewell believes Evans is best for the job. “From his demonstrated efforts to revitalize downtown Selma to his dedicated commitment to making our community stronger and safer, Mayor Evans has earned a third term to continue the progress that he has made in the areas of economic development, education, infrastructure and public safety,” Sewell explained. Sewell went on to explain throughout his tenure Mayor Evans has worked hard to bring federal jobs and resources to Selma. “We share a real love for Selma and a passionate desire to move this City forward,” Sewell continued. “Mayor Evans stood with me and President Obama to commemorate the historic significance of the events that occurred in Selma over 50 years ago and he was a fearless advocate with me in making the case to Obama cabinet officials from HUD, DOT, and Agriculture to bring more federal resources to Selma so that our community can thrive for future generations.” Sewell concluded, “Mayor George Evans believes in Selma and I strongly support his re-election so that we can continue working together to provide better opportunities to the people of Selma and Dallas County.”
