MANSFIELD — Alomar Davenport said he respects the work of incumbent Walden “Butch” Jefferson for Mansfield’s 4th Ward residents.
The 42-year-old political newcomer just thinks it’s time for the 70-year-old incumbent to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders and ideas.
The two are competing in the Democratic primary on May 7 for the ward seat, largely representing the city’s north side, on Mansfield City Council.
The winner will take on Republican Amanda Stanfield in November. Stanfield is unopposed in May.
Davenport, 42, who lives at 575 Stocking Ave., said he grew up in Mansfield’s 4th Ward and moved to New York City, earning college degrees in business administration and public affairs. He has said he worked for the Brennan Center for Justice, the Vera Institute of Justice and the Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services.
Davenport said he worked as a policy analyst on right-to-vote initiatives and criminal justice reform measures. He returned to Mansfield last summer and now works for T-Mobile as a sales analyst.
During the party luncheon, Davenport said he wants to use what he learned while attending college and working elsewhere. When he moved back to Mansfield, he chose to return to the 4th Ward.
“I want to take the experience I gained while away and be an asset to the 4th Ward, the ward where I grew up in,” Davenport said.
Davenport said he is eager to involve himself in community activities and engage with 4th Ward residents, such as he did at a recent town hall he hosted.
“I am looking forward to galvanizing the community and creating an environment where the community is leading itself … finding out what the community feels it should be moving forward and bringing that back to council,” Davenport said.
Davenport said his background in public policy making and analytics makes him a better candidate for the office.
“I will bring a different set of eyes to legislation that comes before council and be able to pinpoint how it will affect the 4th Ward and the rest of Mansfield. My training in analytical work is really a big separator between myself and Mr. Jefferson,” Davenport said.
Davenport said his main goals are to improve the image of the 4th Ward and to help residents there gain a stronger political voice.
“The 4th Ward is not a crime-ridden area. We have been conditioned to think the 4th Ward is a place where you cannot walk, where it’s unsafe to walk,” Davenport said. “It is an area where there are people who work factory jobs, work restaurant jobs, work labor intensive jobs … put food on their table to pay their bills. This is the story that should be told. Those are the people we should be talking about.”
Jefferson, who retired after 27 years from AK Steel, is actually seeking a fifth term on Mansfield City Council. The Mansfield Senior High School graduate served three terms and was term-limited out in 2011.
“I enjoy helping people and want to make sure the 4th Ward is treated as all other wards are, receiving the same services,” said Jefferson, a resident of 601 Bowman St.
During a weekly Democratic Party luncheon in the run-up to the primary, Jefferson said he wants to continue to be a check on a Republican administration and council members.
“I want to be assertive going forward and keep my foot on those Republicans up there. They try to do some things underhanded that doesn’t help the downtrodden people or everyday people. Its all about personal issues with them. It’s like a power thing. ‘I have the power and I am gonna do it my way,'” Jefferson said.
Jefferson the primary issues in the campaign are blight in the 4th Ward, vacant housing and dumping of furniture and other trash in the ward.
“I will work with the Codes and Permits Department to solve all issues or problems in the 4th Ward,” he told Richland Source.
Jefferson was then appointed in 2014 by Democrats to finish the 4th Ward term of Sam Dunn, who resigned after accepting a job with the city. Jefferson was then re-elected in 2015.
He said the biggest differences between he and Davenport are their experience and knowledge of City Council procedures.
TUESDAY: Tax issues on the Richland County primary ballot.
WEDNESDAY: Race for Mansfield City Council’s 6th Ward seat.
FRIDAY: Preview of the Mansfield City At-Large Democratic primary.
TUESDAY, APRIL 30: The Democratic Party race for Mansfield mayor.
