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Starkville Prepares for Competitive Mayoral Race

News Summary

Starkville is buzzing with anticipation as three candidates officially enter the mayoral race: incumbent Mayor Lynn Spruill, former Fire Chief Charles Yarbrough, and computer science teacher Brenna Betts. Each candidate brings unique perspectives and backgrounds, all representing the Democratic Party in this friendly competition. The election timeline is set, with primaries on April 1 and the general election on June 3. Local incumbents are also pursuing reelection, adding to the excitement in Starkville’s political landscape.

Starkville Gears Up for a Thrilling Mayoral Race!

Excitement is in the air as Starkville prepares for a lively three-way mayoral race! With the filing period now open, we have three official candidates stepping into the ring: the incumbent Mayor Lynn Spruill, former Fire Chief Charles Yarbrough, and the enthusiastic computer science teacher Brenna Betts. All three candidates are proudly representing the Democratic Party as they vie for the top spot in this friendly competition.

Meet the Candidates!

First up is the incumbent mayor, Lynn Spruill. At the age of 72, Lynn isn’t just a familiar name; she’s a Starkville native with a deep-rooted connection to the community. Having graduated from Mississippi State University, she has laid down her roots here, spending more than 25 years as a business and property owner. Lynn has an impressive background, being the first woman to qualify as a U.S. Naval carrier pilot and previously serving as a councilman and mayor in Addison, Texas. Elected as mayor of Starkville in 2017, she has played an instrumental role in overseeing major projects, including the much-lauded Cornerstone Park.

Despite having previously expressed her thoughts on term limits, Lynn has decided to run for a third term. The delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic made her feel that there were still unfinished projects she wanted to see through, promising that this would be her last term as mayor.

Next, we have Charles Yarbrough, aged 52, who has been a vibrant member of the Starkville community since he was just 17. With 29 years under his belt in the fire department—10 of which were as fire chief—Charles has committed his life to serving the city. His platform focuses on unification within the community and revising city ordinances to better support local businesses. He’s also keen on tackling youth violence and creating more family-centered entertainment opportunities for residents. Sounds like a plan!

Finally, we have the energetic and ambitious Brenna Betts, only 25 years young. Originally hailing from Brunswick, Georgia, she’s a proud graduate of Mississippi State University with a master’s degree in teaching. Currently, she teaches AP computer science, physical science, and algebra at Starkville High School, giving her a unique perspective on the needs of the younger generation. Brenna aims to improve the city’s existing infrastructure and overall quality of life, bringing in her fresh ideas to the local leadership.

Election Timeline and Incumbents on the Ballot

The excitement doesn’t stop there! The qualifying period for municipal elections kicked off on Thursday and will continue through January 31, 2025. Mark your calendars, folks! The party primaries are set for April 1, and the main event, the general election, is planned for June 3.

The mayoral race isn’t the only thing heating up! Incumbent Kim Moreland, just 38 years old, is running for reelection as an independent after being elected in a special election just ten months ago. Kim has a lifelong connection to Starkville and has expressed joy in serving the community.

Moreover, incumbents Sandra Sistrunk and Mike Brooks, aged 74 and 64 respectively, are running for reelection as Democrats, bringing their expertise in accounting and planning to the table. Vice Mayor Roy A. Perkins is in pursuit of his ninth term and Henry Vaughn, 72, also aims for reelection as a Democrat, highlighting their commitment and experience in local governance.

As we see, the Starkville Board of Aldermen races have incumbents making a strong showing, with at least six looking to continue serving the city. With so many dedicated individuals stepping up to lead, it’s shaping up to be an exciting time for Starkville!

Stay tuned as we bring you the latest news and updates on this unfolding mayoral race and more ways to engage in the community. Your vote matters, Starkville!