McComb Elects Republican Mayor

The city of McComb elected a new mayor and selectman at large yesterday, both Republicans. Whitney Rawlings defeated Democrat Warren Ellis Gilmore in the race to succeed Zach Patterson, who four years ago became the city’s first black mayor. Rawlings won a pretty substantial 60 percent of the vote.

Since Patterson was elected, he has been embroiled in controversy and decided not to seek re-election.

Republican Tommy McKenzie was elected selectman at large with 56 percent of the vote, giving Republicans a four-member majority on the seven-member board. It’s also worth pointing out that the city is nearly 60 percent black.

As for Patterson, he had previously said he may run for statewide office.