Gulf Coast attorney and Republican candidate Hugh Keating has won Gulfport’s mayoral seat after a tense race against former state lawmaker and Democratic candidate Sonya Williams Barnes.
A long night at Gulfport City Hall stretched into the early hours of Wednesday morning. In the end, Keating totaled 6,902 votes to Williams Barnes’ 6,073 to take the seat and replace Mayor Billy Hewes, who decided not to seek reelection.
Onlookers kept a close eye on those organizing and managing the vote count as leadership from both candidates’ state parties had lobbed accusations of election interference to their opponents in the last seven days.
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The Mississippi GOP claimed on May 28 that Williams Barnes’ campaign was guilty of buying voters by providing meal vouchers to residents who cast in-person absentee ballots, though the Democrat vehemently denied the claims.
The accusation sparked a public call for an investigation by state Republican Party chairman Mike Hurst, along with an investigation by the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, though no conclusions were ever brought forth.
Four days later, the Mississippi Democratic Party issued a public statement condemning efforts by Keating supporters. Specifically, Democratic leaders pointed to a letter sent to employees of Island View Casino by managing partner Rick Carter that voiced support for Keating’s mayoral bid.
State party chairman Cheikh Taylor called upon the Secretary of State, Attorney General, and Gulfport Election Commission to investigate the matter, though officials did not announce an official investigation would be carried out.
The day after Carter’s letter to employees, Island View CEO Linsey Inman issued a follow-up letter, attempting to ease unrest by some who received the letter that there was pressure to vote for Keating.
In the lead up to the general election, the race drew statewide, regional, and national attention as both candidates brought in heavy hitting endorsements, such as Keating receiving in-person support from U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Mayor Billy Hewes, and other statewide leaders. Williams Barnes drew the support of former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), and other top Democratic leaders as she made a push to become the coastal city’s first Black woman to hold the mayor’s office.
Upon the certification of Tuesday’s results, Keating will assume the mayor’s seat on July 1.
