Voters in the City of Petal’s Ward 2 have elected a new representative for that position, as Kim Stringer defeated the other three candidates in the February 15 special election by a wide margin.
According to results from Petal City Hall, Stringer garnered 101 votes of the 190 cast in the election, or 53.16 percent of the total. Other candidate totals are as follows:
- Bethanie Carlisle with 49 votes, or 25.79 percent;
- Patricia Merritt with 32 votes, or 16.84 percent; and
- Kimberly Molina with 8 votes, or 4.21 percent.
Stringer will take over the seat for her husband Steve, who vacated the position in January after being elected last year as the new District 3 representative for the Forrest County Board of Supervisors.
“I’m excited,” Kim said. “I want to finish the work that my husband’s been doing for the citizens of Ward 2, and I look forward to working with the current mayor (Tony Ducker) and the board of aldermen.”
Kim is expected to be sworn in at the next board meeting, which is scheduled for February 20. She will fill out the remainder of Steve’s term, which will expire in the summer of 2025.
At that point, Kim would need to run in that year’s election to serve an additional term. In a questionnaire recently sent to all candidates in the race, Kim said she ran for the position, in large part, to help guide the city toward continued growth and development, while preserving the services that make Petal a great place to live.
“I kind of want to work on the playground (at Hinton Park),” she said. “That’s been something I’ve been looking at.
“I don’t know when or how they’ll go about it, but that’s something I’ve been talking about a little bit.”
Along with Steve, Kim is the owner of Locke Exterminating Company and has a background in finance.
“Crafting and maintaining the city budget is one of the most essential functions of the Board of Aldermen,” Kim said in the questionnaire. “I will use my business and financial experience to ensure that the city is making the most of its funds.
“I previously served for ten years on the election Resolution Board, which helps process absentee ballots and uphold election laws. I believe that I have a strong understanding of what it takes to do this job well and that I can use my relationship with city leaders to get to work immediately.”
Because the February 15 election was a special election, all candidates were required to run as independents. A runoff election will not be necessary, as Kim earned more than the necessary 50 percent of the vote plus one vote required to prevent that measure.
