Yolanda Cruz
In a rare occurrence, new mayors have been elected in all four Jackson County municipalities in 2017.
In another unique turn of events, all cities have varying dates for their swearing-in ceremonies. The new term for elected officials begins on July 1, but the first day of July begins on a Saturday and is followed by the Fourth of July holiday.
Gautier
Gautier residents elected the city’s new mayor during the primaries in early May, as no Democratic candidates challenged incumbent Gordon Gollot or newcomer Phil Torjusen.
Torjusen garnered 997 votes over Gollot’s 468.
Torjusen’s swearing-in ceremony will be June 29 inside the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College cafeteria.
Moss Point
Five candidates sought the mayoral mantle in Moss Point, including Republican John Mosley Jr., Democrat Mario King, and independents Billy Broomfield, Timothy “Mr. Dubs” Dubose, and Wanda Williams.
King won the election with 1,686 votes, followed by Mosley’s 630 votes. Incumbent candidate Broomfield garnered 274 votes over Dubose’s 124 votes and Williams’s 42 votes.
King’s inauguration is scheduled for June 27.
Ocean Springs
In what many are calling a shocking upset, newcomer Shea Dobson was elected over incumbent Connie Moran.
Republican Dobson earned 1,951 votes over Democrat Moran’s 1,574.
Dobson will take his oath of office on June 30 at the Ocean Springs Community Center on Washington Avenue.
Pascagoula
Incumbent Jim Blevins did not seek reelection in 2017, allowing Republican Dane Maxwell, Democrat Jenafer Gurley and independent Lazaro J. Rovira to seek mayoral office.
Maxwell was elected with 2,263 votes over Gurley’s 186 votes and Rovira’s 493.
Pascagoula will wait until offices reopen after the July 4 holiday, holding its ceremony July 3. Maxwell will be sworn in at 9 a.m. inside the Pascagoula Senior Center at 1912 Live Oak Ave.
