Picayune’s municipal election has made history with Incumbent Mayor Ed Pinero winning all five boxes.

Pinero had 78.40 percent of the unofficial vote with a total of 813 votes and Democratic challenger Mark Thorman had 21.31 percent with a total of 221 votes.

“I am honored that we’ve been able to pull the whole city together,” Pinero said following his victory, “everyone came together as one.

“It took a large family to pull together a win of all five districts,” Pinero said.

Thorman was unable to be reached Tuesday evening for comment following the vote count.

“His (Pinero’s) win is unprecedented,” City Manager Jim Luke said. “He won by the largest margin in (Picayune’s) history.

“This sends a loud and clear message of the support he has in this city,” Luke said.

“As one might say, the proof is in the pudding,” City Operations Manager Harvey Miller said. “His many accomplishments are evident.”

“He is very proactive and always moving the city forward,” Luke said. “He is professional in every sense of the word.”

Over the next four years Pinero said he plans to continue focusing on financial accountability and economic developmen. “We will continue to work within our financial means and not burden our citizens with increased taxes.”

“I cannot think of anybody I’d rather see lead this city than Dr. Pinero,” Miller said.

Results show that the total voter turnout rate was 13.23 percent, with 1,043 votes cast out of 7,882 registered voters.  

Except for councilman precinct one and the seat for mayor, all races were decided in the primary election on Tuesday, May 7: Incumbent Lynn Bogan Bumpers was re-elected as councilwoman precinct two; Janice Miller Stevens defeated the incumbent in precinct three, Jason Todd Lane; Incumbent Councilman Larry Breland in precinct four had no opposition; and Incumbent Councilman Precinct Five Wayne Gouguet defeated Brian Goetzman.

In the GOP runoff, on May 21, Tammy Valente defeated Incumbent Larry Watkins in the race for councilman precinct one.

The city-wide voter turnout rate for the first primary election was 18.34 percent with 1,445 totals votes cast.