A newcomer to the political arena on Tuesday took down one of the longest-serving elected officials in recent Tallahatchie County history, and did so in convincing fashion.
In a general election race for Education District 7, a seat on the East Tallahatchie School District Board of Trustees, Tameka McIntyre, 34, compiled 366 votes (64.78 percent) to top fellow Charlestonian Danny Adams, who tallied 199 votes (35.22 percent).
Thirty-eight affidavit ballots remained to be considered on Thursday, noted Tallahatchie County Election Commission Chairman Kelly Standard.
Adams, who turned 61 on election day, was seeking his seventh term on the school board, where he presently serves as president — a position he has held for many years.
McIntyre, who will begin her five-year term on the school board in January, said the campaign was a difficult but satisfying one.
“It was not an easy fight, but when I knew who and what I was fighting for — and that is our children — it made it all worthwhile,” she said Tuesday night, while standing outside the Tallahatchie County Courthouse in Charleston, where election results were tabulated.
McIntyre said she views change “as a positive avenue,” noting that she will focus her attention and energies as an advocate for “student success and academic success.”
The Education District 7 race was the only one on local ballots Tuesday, and only voters in Charleston districts 1, 2 and 3, Murphreesboro and Spring Hill could cast a ballot.
Just 36.91 percent of eligible voters did so.
