Gerald Ferrill, brother-in-law of Ocean Springs Mayor-Elect Bobby Cox, gives Dennis Parker a trim on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Ferrill was not surprised by Cox’s resounding victory in the mayor’s race. Ferrill said that he’s heard customers talk for the last couple of years about being unhappy with the city’s direction
Anita Lee
calee@sunherald.com
Almost 84% of Republican primary voters rejected a second term for incumbent Mayor Kenny Holloway, who received only 16.04% of the vote in a four-way race decisively won by Alderman At-Large Bobby Cox. Cox raked in 73.39% of the vote. He celebrated late into the evening with supporters and family.
Cox won the office because he faces no opposition in the June 3 general election.
Cox said Wednesday morning that he was “absolutely not” expecting such a strong showing. He expected a runoff.
“It was very shocking,” Cox said. “I’m very happy, very happy, but I was praying for 50% plus one vote” needed to avoid a runoff.
He and others said the message from residents was clear:
“People want to be heard,” Cox said. “I think they just feel like they haven’t been heard. We’re definitely going to give it our best shot communicating and being as transparent as possible.”
Supporters of Bobby Cox campaign from the roadside at the Civic Center in Ocean Springs during the municipal primary election on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Voters reject incumbent board members
Republican primary voters also booted three members of the Board of Aldermen: Jennifer Burgess in Ward 1, Rickey Authement in Ward 2 and Mike Impey in Ward 6. Ocean Springs did not have a Democratic primary.
Facing no primary opposition, only Ward 3 Alderman Kevin Wade regained his seat, while Ward 4 Alderman Ken Papania chose to retire at age 78.
Three newcomers won their seats in the Republican primary because they have no opposition in June: Karen Stennis in Ward 2, Shannon Grace Pfeiffer in Ward 4 and Julie M. Messenger in Ward 6.
In Ward 1, primary winner Steve B. Tillis will face independent Gregory “Greg” A. Gipson in the general election, while Ward 5 incumbent Republican Robert “Rob” Blackman will face independent James E. Lewis. At-Large winner Matthew C. Hinton Sr., who prevailed in the four-way Republican primary without a runoff, faces independent Oren Zweig in the general election.
Karen Stennis is following her father Tom Stennis into politics. He served as the city’s mayor in the 1970s.
She also believes voters want change because they don’t feel heard. She has noted the board’s inattentive manner when residents speak up in meetings, often passionately.
“There’s no eye contact with people like they’re (board members) even listening,” Stennis said.
Members of the audience watch as aldermen study their phones or computers, eat chips or otherwise seem distracted.
Stennis believes all that is about to change. She was one of numerous residents who joined SaveOS.org, or Save Ocean Springs. They’ve objected to what they see as poorly planned development downtown and on the beach. The group has been extremely active, posting online the voting records of aldermen, interviewing candidates who were willing and mustering support on issues facing the city.
Stennis said a shooting at The Scratch Kitchen in May 2024 galvanized residents, who were surprised when city officials failed to take what they considered meaningful action to avert gun violence. The shooter killed one teen and injured at least four others when he fired into a crowd of more than 200 in the now-defunct downtown bar.
“I want to represent the people,” said Stennis, whose ward includes downtown. “I want this to be the people’s town again.”
She was already out Wednesday morning, riding around on her golf cart and soaking in the reaction to election night.
“The joy that they show,” she said, “they’re just like, ‘Wow, it’s a whole new world.’ “
A voter casts a ballot at Grace Baptist Church in Ocean Springs during the municipal primary election on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Newly elected mayor’s plans
Cox said he plans to promote the change residents want. He said that he will re-establish citizens’ committees to weigh in on issues and plans from their inception.
New construction dominates the downtown landscape, the buildings looming over historic homes turned into quaint shops that once defined the area. Cox wants to see preservation as the first option considered for historic properties, when landowners are willing.
He wants to expand recreational opportunities, move forward with what he considers a solid plan to serve the recently annexed area on the city’s east side, and address drainage and other infrastructure needs.
As for the barbershop he took over from his father, Cox’s on Government Street, the mayor-elect will give up day-to-day management.
Someone else was cutting hair Wednesday morning in Cox’s usual spot, at the back of the small shop beside his brother-in-law, Gerald Ferrill. Ferrill has known Cox since 1986, when Ferrill started dating Cox’s sister, whom he eventually married.
“I think he’s one of the most honest people I’ve met in my life,” Ferrill said. “I would trust him with my life, 100%.”
Ferrill has heard the conversations that Cox, as an alderman, was having with customers leading up to the election.
“I think people (have) been unhappy for the last couple of years,” he said. “It’s not just downtown. It’s the whole city.”
This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 1:25 PM.
Anita, a Mississippi native, graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and previously worked at the Jackson Daily News and Virginian-Pilot, joining the Sun Herald in 1987. She specializes in in-depth coverage of government, public corruption, transparency and courts. She has won state, regional and national journalism awards, most notably contributing to Hurricane Katrina coverage awarded the 2006 Pulitzer Prize in Public Service.Support my work with a digital subscription
