In a majority white city Bailey Yelding carry the
election in his favor. Bailey Yelding won by a 121-vote margin to defeat one-term
City Councilman Derek Boulware.
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| Mayor-Elect Bailey Yelding |
Bailey Yelding, a former teacher and coach, served for 11
years on the City Council before his colleagues tapped him last year
for the city’s top post after Fred Small’s sudden resignation. He ran on a
platform of experience and stability.
Many viewed Yelding as the wrong choice to be in that
position in Daphne and yet along Baldwin County. But as we can see time is
changing and people are beginning to realized there are good people in both
communities. Of the historic result, he
said, “It’s phenomenal, it’s great. It (proves) the fact that this city is not
racist,” he said.
“We pulled it off,” said Councilman John Lake, one of
Yelding’s supporters. “I think he was the best man, and I think the people saw
that.”
Moving forward, Yelding said, Daphne needs to position
itself to take advantage of an Airbus plant planned for Mobile and stay ahead
of expected population growth.
Yelding becomes the first black to be elected to the
office of Mayor of Daphne, Alabama.
