BY PETE PORTER
thedmnews@gmail.com
Oxford citizens will cast their votes Tuesday to elect the mayor as well as the Board of Aldermen in two wards.
All voting will be held at the Oxford Conference Center off Sisk Avenue, as there are not separate precints.
The mayoral race features an intriguing matchup between incumbent Democrat George “Pat” Patterson and former Ole Miss football player Todd Wade, who is running as an Independent. Both candidates have been hot on the campaign trail during the past weeks, going door-to-door throughout neighborhoods and holding press conferences to get their talking points out.
Patterson stated that improvement to the infrastructure of Oxford as well as numerous complexes across town have been his biggest accomplishments, adding that he brings proven experience and leadership to the table. Wade’s main campaign agenda, according to his website, is “emphasizing true functional growth planning, increased tourism for small businesses and bridging the broken gap between Oxford and Ole Miss.”
Patterson and have run different style campaigns, with Wade outspending Patterson by about $10,000 on advertising, according to The Oxford Eagle. Wade has spent $20,000 on advertising and signs, mainly targeting Patterson’s ownership of multiple properties across Oxford which he believes is a conflict of interest. Patterson, who owns University Sporting Goods on the Square as well as numerous rental houses, responded by saying a mayor should be invested in his community.
The races for the Board of Aldermen seats in Wards 1 and 2 are also tight. Ward 1 features Republican incumbent Ney Williams against Democrat Jay Hughes. In Ward 2, Republican incumbent E.O. Oliver will face Democratic candidate Robyn Tannehill. All other alderman candidates are running unopposed, including Ward 3 Democratic candidate Janice Antonow, Ward 4 Democratic candidate Ulysses “Coach” Howell, Ward 5 Democratic candidate Preston E. Taylor, Ward 6 Republican candidate Jason Bailey and Alderman-at-Large Democratic candidate John F. Morgan.
Polls will open at 7 a.m. today at the Oxford Conference Center and close at 7 p.m., after which time the votes will be counted and the results announced.
The Daily Mississippian will post election results on theDMonline.com as soon as they are released tonight.
