By Josh Troy
Clarksdale Advocate
Jimmy Harris is the City of Clarksdale’s new Ward 2 Commissioner. Harris secured 480 votes (56%) in a runoff election on Oct. 24, while his opponent, Alfred Allen, finished with 373 votes (44%). The special election came after Ward 2 Commissioner Ken Murphey died of a short illness. There were seven candidates in the election on Oct. 3. Harris and Allen advanced to the runoff on Oct. 24, with Harris winning the Ward 2 Commissioner seat.
“I’m happy that I can help with decision-making and things that will make Clarksdale better,” Harris said. “That’s what I want to do.”
Since winning the election, Harris said he has already heard from his Ward 2 constituents.
“People have already presented logical requests,” he said. “I value everybody’s opinion and what it’s worth.”
Harris said he views Ward 2 residents as his customers. “I think too many times people in office don’t represent their constituency very well,” he said. “You voted me in to serve you, and that’s what I’m supposed to do.”
Harris said he would help Clarksdale residents in other wards. If a resident in another ward presents Harris with an issue, he said he may reach out to the commissioner of that particular ward.
Harris said poor leadership does not go very far, and he plans to help the City of Clarksdale. “Your job is to take care of Clarksdale,” he said. “If we keep doing dumb things, you know what’s going to happen.”
Allen provided his thoughts on his Facebook page the day after the election.
“Hello everyone!” he said. “I wanted to share with you the results from the City Commissioner Ward 2 election. We gave it a great run, and I’m truly grateful and thankful. First and foremost, I would like to give thanks and praise to God for this opportunity. Secondly, I would like to thank my wife and my family for their undying love, support, and prayers. My FAMILY is AMAZING!! They were with me EVERY step of the way.
“I would like to thank my dear friends for their support, prayers, and love. I would like to thank my hardworking, dedicated, and committed grassroots campaign team. Last but not least, I would like to thank the voters for allowing us the opportunity to visit with you over the last seven weeks. Although it was not the outcome that we would have liked, I’m still going to be an advocate for Ward 2 and the citizens of Clarksdale. May God continue to bless you and keep you. Let’s continue to work to move Ward 2 forward!!”
There were a total of 853 voters in the Oct. 24 runoff and just 714 voters in the Oct. 3 special election.
“Very unusual does the runoff captivate more people than the first round, and they did in this case,” Harris said.
Harris referred to himself as a “rookie politician,” but said everyone told him there would not be as many voters in the runoff as there were on Oct. 3. “It was magnificent,” said Harris about the turnout in the runoff. Allen expressed similar sentiments.
“The turnout was great, better than the first election,” he said. “That normally doesn’t happen in a runoff. I’m very appreciative of the people that supported me. Thank you. It’s all about Clarksdale. I love Clarksdale.”
BREAKDOWN OF VOTES IN RUNOFF Harris – 480 total (417 on Election Day and 63 absentee) Allen – 373 total (327 on Election Day, 40 absentee, and six affidavit)
