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Fields remains in mayor's race
 Deacue Fields, who qualified as a candidate, then announced he was withdrawing, said Monday that he is running for mayor of Winnsboro.
Fields, a Democrat, previously said he would not contend with another candidate, Leroy Scott. Scott, also a Democrat, serves as deacon at New Zion Baptist Church in Chase where Fields is pastor.
Scott qualified then said he would withdraw after Fields paid fees and signed up to run for mayor at the Franklin Parish Clerk of Court's office. Scott later reversed himself after Fields said he would be the one to withdraw.
Neither candidate officially withdrew and both are now running to succeed Jack Hammons as mayor.
Other candidates in the Winnsboro mayoral primary election on March 27 are Ken Hill, a Republican and Jackie Johnson, a Democrat.
Hammons decided not to run for a fourth term as mayor after he was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Fields said he was planning on Thursday to drive to the Louisiana Secretary of State Office in Baton Rouge, but changed his mind Friday morning when he woke up to find the ground covered with snow. What really cinched the deal, however, was the many telephone calls he received from people wanting to see him as mayor, he said.
Fields doesn't feel his decision to stay in the race will damage his friendship with Scott.
"We will maintain a wholesome relationship under the circumstances. We will maintain a good relationship," he said.
Scott said he respects Fields for doing what he thinks is right.
"That's my pastor and I respect him, but that doesn't mean I have to agree with him on everything," Scott said. "It's his decision."
Johnson was surprised that Fields reversed himself again.
"It's a surprise, but I welcome him," Johnson said. "It should be an interesting race now that he's back in it."
Hill said Fields told him that if Scott were running he would stay out of the race, but now that things have changed he welcomes the competition.
"It's a hard decision to make. It's really all about the community," Hill said. "I knew (Fields) was in it before, so it's fine with me."
In Winnsboro, 2,104 of 2,933 registered voters belong to the Democratic Party There are 1,598 black voters and 506 white voters.
There are 360 white Republican voters and 58 black Republican voters in Winnsboro.
The racial makeup of the city was about 40 percent white and 59 percent black, with other races making up about one percent of the population, according to the last U.S. Census.
Others who will be contending for offices on March 27, include Winnsboro Police Chief Lester Thomas who is running against Winnsboro City Marshall Bruce McCarthy.
Both men are Democrats.
James Harris, a Republican from Gilbert, is running in a special election against Leo Miller, an independent candidate from Gilbert, and W.L. "Dub" Robbins, a Democrat from Winnsboro, for the District 3 seat on the Franklin Parish Police Jury.
Winnsboro Alderman John "Sonny" Dumas, a Democrat, is running against another Democrat, Deborah Davidson, to keep his District 3 seat.
A general election is scheduled on May 1 for candidates who don't receive a majority of votes in the March 27 election. |
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