PB mayor runoff rivals relate vision for the city

In the 2024 Democratic primary election for mayor of Pine Bluff, three strong candidates emerged during the campaign. Two of these candidates, incumbent Mayor Shirley Washington and State Rep. Vivian Flowers, will face off in a runoff election in less than a month. Former council member Joni Alexander-Robinson, who also ran for mayor, received a significant number of votes but ultimately fell short of making the runoff.

Washington, who has served two terms as mayor, received the most votes in the primary, with 1,940. Flowers, who entered the race dissatisfied with Washington’s leadership, came in a close second with 1,913 votes. Alexander-Robinson, who also ran on a platform of change, received 1,123 votes.

On election night, the atmosphere at each candidate’s watch party shifted from celebratory to somber as the results from the 33 polling sites trickled in. The final but unofficial results were announced around 9:30 p.m.

After hearing the tallies, Alexander-Robinson, who vocally criticized Washington’s leadership during her campaign, expressed disappointment, saying that she believed she lost the race because she is married to County Judge Gerald Robinson and is young — she’s in her mid-30s. She said that voters need to start looking beyond candidates who appeal to their emotions and saying what they want to hear.

Flowers, who has also been critical of Washington’s leadership, said that she is grateful for the support she received and is ready to compete in the runoff election. She said she is confident that she can win the election and bring about change in Pine Bluff.

Washington, who is seeking a third term as mayor, said that she is proud of her record and is confident that she can continue to lead Pine Bluff effectively. She said that she is grateful for the trust that voters placed in her and is ready to work hard to earn their support in the runoff election.

SHIRLEY WASHINGTON

After a tiring yet thrilling victory, Washington expressed gratitude for the potential opportunity to carry out the vision she has for the city.

In a subsequent interview with The Commercial, Washington said she had mixed emotions about the results of the primary election. “I was hoping I could have a clean win without a runoff, but I also felt the possibility of having a runoff was great with as many people as we had in the race,” said Washington.

Washington said she felt there would possibly be a runoff between her and Flowers or another candidate — she didn’t say which one — and said she was grateful for community support and looks forward to sharing her vision in the runoff.

According to Washington, the city has made progress but needs further improvement. She highlighted her experience and vision for the future, emphasizing the importance of continuing partnerships, particularly with schools. Washington said she plans to invest in programs addressing juvenile crime and acknowledged the need to build relationships and partnerships for sustained economic growth.

Regarding projects and opportunities for the next four years, Washington expressed her commitment to completing them, emphasizing her desire to see them through to fruition.

Washington acknowledged the complexity of the mayoral role, with numerous candidates in the recent election demonstrating a lack of understanding of the sacrifices required.

“When I look at some of them who were on the same platform as me, I wanted to say that they don’t really understand what this job really encompasses because it’s all-consuming, to be honest,” said Washington. “You give up your life basically for this job.”

Despite numerous challenges, Washington said her commitment to improving the city persists. She said she is determined to create a vibrant and inclusive city, remaining focused and overcoming obstacles despite negativity and controversies.

For the coming runoff election on April 2, Washington’s campaign efforts will continue as she will center her efforts around economic development projects and collaborations.

Washington highlighted the necessity of affordable and market-rate housing to draw people to the community while partnering with the developer of Southeast Estates on a grant application for 100 housing units.

“I feel like there’s hope,” said Washington. “There’s still hope for Pine Bluff no matter what people say. No matter what I see from day to day, I have to still be encouraged that if we can stay the course we will see that change that we know can happen in this community.”

VIVIAN FLOWERS

In contrast to Washington’s emphasis on relationship-building, Flowers asserts that she already possesses the necessary relationships, many of which extend outside Pine Bluff.

Expressing excitement and encouragement about the election results, Flowers said she believes the city is poised to make noticeable positive changes with her as mayor.

Highlighting her extensive experience in governmental service, policy-making, politics, and public service, Flowers outlined her vision for leading Pine Bluff as the next mayor.

“I have more experience … than my remaining opponent in this race and I think with that experience has come relationships in the private sector but also on all governmental levels and extending beyond the government,” said Flowers. “Whether you’re talking about governmental relations, the nonprofit sector, lobbyists, or people who have expertise and focus on a wide range of issues that are important to Pine Bluff, is crucial.”

Flowers mentioned she received several endorsements from various entities and individuals. These endorsements, according to Flowers, were a testament to her expertise in business and government policy and her ability to foster relationships with those interested in investing in the community’s growth.

Flowers said she believes that economic growth and cultural preservation are essential for the community’s betterment. She stated that the city must form connections beyond its borders and not solely rely on grant-finding opportunities to achieve these goals.

Furthermore, Flowers emphasized that the city should recognize its identity as a predominantly Black city with Black leadership and a rich history of overcoming challenges. She said she believes that the city can leverage this to its advantage and move forward.

In the context of promoting local industries, Flowers discussed the importance of agriculture, highlighting its position as the largest industry in Arkansas. However, she also emphasized the need to address the challenges faced by Southeast Arkansas, which is not fully benefiting from the flourishing agricultural sector. Additionally, Flowers addressed the need to prevent the outflow of people from Pine Bluff and the closure of local businesses, calling for strategic measures to retain talent and support economic growth in the region.

Flowers said she believes that supporting local businesses and education is crucial for community rejuvenation and has criticized the city’s inadequate efforts in addressing problems like population decline, violence, and lack of economic investment.

Flowers said she is the most qualified candidate and criticized the other Democratic mayoral candidates with relevant experience for not making a positive impact during their terms.

“Whether it was someone on the City Council who has served four years or 12 years or whether it’s the current mayor who has served seven, they have all been given ample opportunity to fully address these issues through legislation, through advocacy and accessing resources,” said Flowers. “No one has scratched the surface to address the major challenges that are contributing to the extreme loss of population.”

Addressing the declining state of the city, Flowers said it is imperative for the city to tackle issues of violence and invest in the local economy. However, despite ample opportunities, the current mayor, and current and former city council members, according to Flowers, have failed to take any successful actions in this regard.

“Pine Bluff is the fastest shrinking MSA in the country and we’re continuing to lose people,” said Flowers. “If we are going to turn the tide on that kind of loss we have to address the violence and homicide issue and we have to lead into real live investment in our economy.”

JONI ALEXANDER-ROBINSON

“No one ever talked about how I am not qualified for the position,” said Alexander-Robinson who expressed her disappointment with the election results in a follow-up with The Commercial, calling the election “superficial.”

Alexander-Robinson’s announcement of her candidacy for mayor was met with opposition from some. Her young age was seen as a disadvantage and her marriage to County Judge Gerald Robinson led to concerns about too much power being concentrated in one family.

Alexander-Robinson said she believes elections are influenced by powerful players who are running the city into the ground.

She reflected on her experience as a member of the City Council where her age wasn’t a factor but as a mayoral candidate it was.

“When I ran for City Council I ran against someone who is in the same age group as the current mayor and I had the support of that age group,” said Alexander-Robinson, who said she has devoted her 20s and 30s to Pine Bluff politics. “The difference is I also had the support of Go Forward.”

In her final year as a council member, Alexander-Robinson criticized the lack of transparency and honesty of the nonprofit organization, Go Forward Pine Bluff.

According to Alexander-Robinson, young people nurtured by the community of Pine Bluff often exceed expectations when they mature.

“We should not hold something against a young black woman for being married and that’s the part that disappoints me,” she said.

Despite the loss, Alexander-Robinson said she believes her campaign will remain relevant as new leaders emerge and similar events continue. She said she feels her campaign will help voters understand current events, adding that she also feels liberated from the restrictions and labels associated with the position that comes with being a mayor and the constraints of the role.

Although unclear about her future, Alexander-Robinson did clarify one thing: She is not endorsing Washington or Flowers in the runoff.

“If they want my voters, they’ll have to reach out to them themselves,” she said.