Historic vote in Harrison County elects three women supervisors

Voters elected three women Tuesday to the five-member Harrison County Board of Supervisors.

It's the first time that's ever happened, said Marlin Ladner, who was elected to his fifth term as District 3 supervisor.

"I think we're going to be the only minority-led board in the state of Mississippi," said Beverly Martin, who won the District 1 seat vacated by Windy Swetman III.

Angel Kibler-Middleton won the District 2 race. Connie Rockco in District 5 was the only other incumbent with Ladner to win Tuesday.

Democrat Kent Jones was elected in District 4 over two challengers.

Four years ago, all five of incumbents were reelected. Since then, Kim Savant was sentenced to five years in federal prison for public corruption and William Martin committed suicide as indictments against him were made public.

From a slate of 25 candidates in the primary election -- 10 Democrats in District 4 alone -- the new board was elected and given the challenge of restoring public trust and learning to work together.

"There's some getting-to-know time," Ladner said. "I know these folks. I think we'll work well together."

Borrowing a phrase from Hillary Clinton, Martin said, "I'll find common ground when I can but I'll stand my ground when I must."

She plans to take a couple of days off to regroup "and thank my family, my friends, my God and the voters. I feel like I'll do a good job and the voters obviously do, too."

Kibler-Middleton said she's known Rockco and Ladner for years and met the other two new board members this year.

"It should be a good mix," she said. With three new supervisors and three women on the board, she knows the community will be watching. Her first priority will be to learn about the job and its duties.

Kent Jones is the only Democrat on the board.

The voters gave decisive wins to all the candidates. Martin won with 83 percent of the vote, Kibler-Middleton with 80 percent, Ladner with 76 percent and Jones with 78 percent.

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 10:32 PM with the headline "Historic vote in Harrison County elects three women supervisors ."