TUTWILER -— Former Tutwiler police chief Terry Tyler did not gain any ground in the election-night results from Tuesday's Democratic primary runoff here, and incumbent Ward 4 Alderwoman Diann Pimpton held on for a 40-37 win.
Pimpton, 57, led Tyler, 42, by that same count after votes were tabulated Tuesday night, but three affidavit ballots left the door ajar for the challenger.
When the Tallahatchie County Democratic Executive Committee met at 10 Wednesday morning at the circuit clerk's office in Charleston to consider the affidavits, they tossed out all three ballots, which sealed Pimpton's election to a fourth term.
"They voted in the wrong ward," committee member Richard Gipson explained of the three affidavit voters, shortly after 10:30.
Pimpton faces no general election challenge.
In Charleston, incumbent Ward 2 City Commissioner Lloyd C. Smith, 66, was reelected with a dominating 98-39 win over challenger Jamie Anderson, 56. Deputy City Clerk Vanisha Powell said Smith captured 53 absentee ballot votes to Anderson's 4, and Smith also won the election-day count 45-35 to clinch a second term.
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See the original election story here.
