Out with the old and in with the new seemed to be the message Grambling voters sent during Saturday’s primary election.The incumbent mayor, Martha Andrus, was not among the two who garnered enough votes to put them in a runoff in the Nov. 2 general election.
Former Mayor Pro Tem Edward R. Jones received 37 percent of the 694 votes cast in the city’s mayoral election.
His runoff challenger, Robert C. Wiley, a local businessman and political newcomer, claimed 155 votes, or 22 percent.
Andrus, with 95 votes,finished behind current City Council member Alvin Bradley, who had 133 votes.
The contentious relationship, accusations of wrongdoing and numerous lawsuits involving Andrus and some City Council members apparently were factors in the election’s outcome.
The vote totals for the remainder of the mayoral candidates were John “Porky” Williams, a former mayor, 25 votes; Gary Dupree, 21; and Stephric “Step” Garrett, 9.
In the City Council race, only one of the three sitting council members who in the race earned a return. There were 17 candidates vying for five seats.
The top 10 finishers qualified to make it into the runoff election on Nov. 2.
Those in the runoff for the five City Council seats are Yanise N. Days, with 280 votes; Birdex Copeland Jr., 278; incumbent Roy L. Jackson, 254; Cullen Jackson, 249; and Cathy Holmes, 234; Nettie Goree, 230; Shirley Wesley, 224; Roosevelt Bryant Jr., 202; Carl McCarter, 202; and Flynn A. Ludley, 187.
The remaining candidates and their vote totals were: Lugene Smith Sr., 158; Charles H. Owens III, 155; Ervin McIntyre, 138; “Coach” Michael L. Jiles, 116; George M. Hamlin, 105; Toby Bryan, 102; and Elaine DeBerry, 23.
Traditionally, the top five vote-getters are usually declared winners outright. But because of the high number of candidates, a runoff is necessary.
In statewide races, the two Constitutional Amendments on the ballot passed.
Amendment No. 1 established earlier starting dates for all regular legislative sessions, from the final Monday in the month in which they begin to the second Monday, and made legislation effective on Aug. 1 instead of Aug. 15 unless a different date is specified in the bill.
Amendment No. 2 approved making the positions in the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness a part of the unclassified civil service.
In the lieutenant governor’s race, current Secretary of State Jay Dardenne, a Republican, and Democrat Caroline Fayard will face each other in the Nov. 2.