How do you soothe ‘agitated’ voters in Ocean Springs? Fried fish and breakfast biscuits
The well-fed bunch at Villa Maria Retirement Apartments in Ocean Springs was ready to vote Tuesday.
Candidates for city offices have been visiting the senior citizens on the regular lately, always bearing food, because that’s what happens at election time.
Voter turnout is generally highest among Americans 65 and older, statistics show. Villa Maria not only has 198 apartments and more than 200 residents, it’s also home to the Ward 2 voting precinct. Some say whichever candidate does the best job of feeding Villa Maria residents is a cinch to win the race.
It’s a definite must-stop for mayoral candidates. The March calendar was filled with meals, ice cream socials and other food-themed get-togethers that candidates sponsored, resident Glen Huff said.
He loves election day. He sat outside the front door of the high-rise on Tuesday to watch voters come and go.
“I have never seen this many ever come in here to vote,” Huff said.
Politicians bearing breakfast biscuits
By 4 p.m., 880 residents had cast ballots, or 38% of those registered. And there were three more hours of voting to go.
“Historically, between 35% and 38% of people vote,” said historian Ray Bellande, who happened through the lobby while Huff was talking to a reporter. “But when they become agitated, a bigger percentage turn out to vote.
And Ocean Springs residents, at least the ones active on social media, seem to be fairly agitated. They’re concerned about all the growth in the city, especially downtown.
Bellande predicted Tuesday’s turnout would be close to 44%. Republican mayoral, Ward 2 and aldermen at-large candidates in Ocean Springs, where all the primary candidates are Republican, popped into Villa Maria.
Huff offered a rundown of their shindigs.
Residents ate chicken alfredo Sunday with incumbent Mayor Kenny Holloway. Challenger Bobby Cox served up lasagna on Monday. Ward 2 Aldermen Rickey Authement hosted a fish fry Saturday and his challenger, Karen Stennis, held an ice cream social Thursday. She also showed up Sunday morning and handed out Hardee’s breakfast biscuits at the door.
Huff took two. She encouraged him to have as many as he liked.
“They have wined and dined us, I’m telling you,” said Betty Matney. “We’re going to starve now.” Matney might have been exaggerating about the wine. (“I spiced it up a little bit,” she allowed.)
This story was originally published April 1, 2025 at 5:56 PM.
