Five incumbents ousted in Tallulah city elections

Published 12:00 am Sunday, March 28, 2010

Incumbent Eddie Beckwith Jr. was ousted Saturday in Tallulah’s mayoral election.

With 1,109 votes, Democrat Mike Abendroth claimed 41 percent of the vote to Beckwith’s 607 votes, said unofficial results listed Saturday night on the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Web site.

Democrat Paxton J. Branch received 605 votes; Theodore “Teddy” Lindsey, no party affiliation, 275; and Democrat Moses Junior Williams, 113. Beckwith claimed no party affiliation.

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Also on the ballots were spots for the city’s police chief and five councilmen.

James Earl Vaughn Jr. is the city’s new police chief. He beat incumbent Donnell Rose with 1,344 votes, or 51 percent. Rose got 682 votes; Fred Washington Jr., 439; Johnnie J. Henderson, 132; and John Cartwright, 62. All ran as Democrats.

In the councilmen races, three of five districts will see new leaders.

With 80 percent of the vote, incumbent Charles Michael Finlayson, a Democrat, will remain over District 1. He received 556 votes. Running against him was Janet Kline-Clark, also a Democrat, with 142 votes.

In District 2, Lisa D. Houston was the winner, taking home 227 votes to incumbent Henry J. Williams’ 136. Dianna Cooks received 78 votes. All ran as Democrats.

In District 3, Tommy Watson ousted incumbent Eddie Fountain with 275 votes, or 53 percent. Fountain received 245 votes. Both are Democrats.

Taking 217 votes, or 53 percent, and replacing incumbent Democrat Kelvin Brooks, Marjorie Day, also a Democrat, will lead District 4. Brooks received 194 votes.

Five candidates were vying for the District 5 spot.

Incumbent Gloria Owens Hayden, no party affiliation, won with 251 votes, or 46 percent.

Michael Whitney followed with 137; Fred Washington with 92; Charlie Thompson Jr. with 38; and Ronnie Charles Groves with 32. All ran as Democrats. Democrats.

Under Louisiana’s open primary system, candidates of all parties run simultaneously.

Contact Tish Butts at tbutts@vicksburgpost.com