Carthage voters will head to the polls next month to begin choosing who will serve as the city’s mayor and board of aldermen. With the primary election approaching, here’s what Carthage voters need to know about the candidates, election process, and important dates.
The primary election will be held on Tuesday, October 13. The primary determines which candidate will represent each political party in the general election. Voters choose from candidates within a party, and the winning Republican and Democratic candidates advance to the general election.
In this primary election, Republican mayoral candidates Laurie Henderson and Cindy Crane, along with Republican Ward 3 alderman candidates Robin Burgess and Justin Jones, will appear on the ballot as they compete for their party’s nominations. Voters who do not participate in the primary election will still vote in the November general election.
A run-off election is unlikely in these circumstances but if it is needed, it will be held on Tuesday, October 20. A candidate must receive the majority of votes in a contested party primary. With only two candidates in each contested Republican race, one of them will receive the most votes unless there is an exact tie.
The general election is Tuesday, November 3. In this election, each party’s nominees will face one another to determine who is elected to office. This includes candidates who won contested primary races as well as candidates who were unopposed for their party’s nomination.
This is a list of candidates who have qualified to run for mayor or alderman in the 2026 Carthage municipal elections.
Mayor
Laurie Henderson – (Incumbent) (R)
Cindy Crane (R)
Mary Ann Vivians (D)
Ward 1 Alderman
Kendall Leflore (D)
Michael Cothran (R)
Ward 2 Alderman
Marcus Williams (Incumbent) (D)
Ward 3 Alderman
Robin Burgess (Incumbent) (R)
Justin Jones (R)
Ward 4 Alderman
Josh Stokes (Incumbent) (R)
Reggie Clayton (D)
2026 Carthage Municipal Election Dates:
Primary election: Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Run-off election: Tuesday, Oct. 20.
General election: Tuesday, Nov. 3.
For more information, call Carthage City Hall at 601-267-8322.
