Barker defeats DuPree, 2 new council members elected

Haskel Burns | Hattiesburg American

Show Caption Hide Caption Video | New mayor Toby Barker thanks supporters Toby Barker thanks supporters on being elected as the new Hattiesburg mayor Tuesday night.

As Toby Barker supporters celebrated over the strains of Boston's "More Than a Feeling" Tuesday night at The Venue in downtown Hattiesburg, the Hub City's mayor-elect was looking forward to the city's potential over the next four years.

"It's an incredibly humbling feeling, for a town like Hattiesburg to put their trust in me to help lead the next four years," said Barker, who defeated incumbent Mayor Johnny DuPree 6,214 votes to 4,198 in Tuesday's general election. "We know that we have challenges, and I just know that the talent and goodwill of the people will overcome those.

"I'm excited about what the next four years and beyond will bring."

Barker, who currently serves as the Republican representative for House District 102 in central Hattiesburg, will serve as an independent in his mayoral term, which begins July 1.

"We'll start gathering (Wednesday) and start meeting and trying to seek input from people around the community," Barker said. "We're just excited about what the future holds."

DuPree, a Democrat who was elected in 2001, did not return calls Tuesday night.

Hattiesburg, which has 27,216 registered voters, saw 9,525 votes cast, or 35 percent voter turnout.

Affidavit and absentee ballots counted Wednesday raised that total to 10,461 or 38 percent.

Raw video: New mayor Toby Barker New Hattiesburg mayor Toby Barker talks about winning Tuesday's election.

Ward 1

Ward 1 candidates will see a newcomer to Hattiesburg City Council, with Republican Jeffrey George defeating Democratic challenger Ken Chambers 821 votes to 368.

George will take over for outgoing councilman Kim Bradley, who announced in August he would not run for re-election this year.

"Most importantly, I'm extremely excited for the future of our city," George said. "I'm excited about the opportunity to really deal with people in Ward 1 and to start fighting for what's best for them."

Ward 2

Ward 2 Councilwoman Deborah Delgado ran unopposed Tuesday, as she was re-elected at the May 2 primary after defeating three other Democratic challengers. She received 1,502 votes.

In an earlier story, Delgado said one of her first priorities in her fifth term on council will be to help council members get a handle on the city's budget.

"(That's) so we can set appropriate priorities for the citizens of Hattiesburg," she said. "I don't think we've done a good job of that, and we've got to get our values back in order and combine them with the best interests of the citizens of Hattiesburg.

"We need to make sure that we have appropriate funds to invest in this great infrastructure burden that we have on us."

Ward 3

Current City Council President will return for another term, as he defeated independent challenger Kathy Garner 1,674 votes to 1,208.

Carroll, a Republican, said it was an honor to be re-elected to the council.

"Obviously we need to work on the infrastructure, our roads, our water and sewer, and building up our financial situation and making that as secure as possible," he said.

Ward 4

Current Council Vice President Mary Dryden will start her second term July 1, as she defeated Democratic challenger James C. Smith 1,573-848.

Dryden, who ran as an independent, said her constituents can expect the same hard work and dedication she's provided the last four years.

"This is the place that I live and love," she said. "I'll do everything I can to work with every person I encounter. Relationships are of the utmost importance to me, and over the last four years the biggest gift I've had is the people I've gotten to know."

Ward 5

Ward 5 will see a new councilman in Nicholas R. Brown, who defeated incumbent Henry Naylor 1,118 votes to 791.

Brown, a Democrat, said he looks forward to working with the residents in Ward 5, especially those in the Palmer's Crossing community.

"I'm excited, and I give all credit to God and all those who helped me out along the way, especially my supporters and those who voted," he said. "I'll be excited when I see things happen, when some things start to move around Hattiesburg.

"I dedicate this to my grandmother ... because the house that I live in, it's her house. I've been here 12 years, and I wouldn't be in this position if it wasn't for her."

By the numbers

Hattiesburg general election vote totals

Mayor

Johnny DuPree: 4,198

Toby Barker: 6,214

Shawn O'Hara: 46

Ward 1

Jeffrey George: 821

Ken Chambers: 368

Ward 2

Deborah Delgado: 1,502

Ward 3

Carter Carroll: 1,674

Kathy Garner: 1,208

Ward 4

Mary Dryden: 1,573

James C. Smith: 848

Ward 5

Henry Naylor: 791

Nicholas R. Brown: 1,118