Fremont picks Flowers as new mayor, selects Mooring again
By Gary Popp
Published in News on May 9, 2012 1:46 PM
FREMONT -- Voters chose Darron Flowers to be their mayor Tuesday night, rejecting current Mayor Pro Tem Leroy Ruffin.
"I am very tired today. It has been a long, hard day, but I am very pleased with the results," Flowers said at nearly 10 p.m. Tuesday, shortly after securing the victory.
To Flowers, the win was especially rewarding as he lost the same race in 2008 to Mayor Devone Jones, who did not seek re-election.
Flowers earned a little bit more than 55 percent of the vote, with 200 votes, while Ruffin had 162 ballots cast in his name.
Flowers said he spent the evening with his wife, Mary Lee, at the town's designated polling place, Fremont United Methodist Church, but didn't realize he officially won until watching the results post online on his home computer.
While Flowers has four years to make his impression on the town, he already knows the influence he hopes to make.
"The No. 1 thing I hope to accomplish is establishing a positive image of Fremont and make it a desirable place for people to live and work," he said.
But late Tuesday night, Flowers said he was more focused on getting some rest than getting down to business.
"After the time I have spent at the polls today, you are not elated, you are exhausted," he said.
He was not too tired, though to comment on his opposition.
"I want to compliment and commend my opponent," he said. "We have a good cordial relationship that I expect will continue. He fought a hard race, and I have a great deal of admiration for him."
With the weight of the election lifted from his shoulders, Flowers also took time to give his thanks to residents of Fremont.
"I express my gratitude to everyone whether they supported me or not," he said. "We have one town and one community, so I want to look at it that way. I appreciate the entire town for giving me the opportunity to serve."
The mayoral election was not the only race in Fremont Tuesday.
Fremont voters also came out to show their support for candidates in the town's District 2 Board of Aldermen seat contest.
Leon Mooring won 58 percent of the vote, with 39 votes, over Brenda C Hicks, who earned 27 votes.
The race was the only contested alderman race in the election.
Rounding out the board are Al Lewis in District 1, W.T. Smith in District 3, Harold Cuddington in District 4, Joyce Reid in District 5 and Annie Lewis in District 6, all of whom were unopposed.