<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3aIHa4_1GwO4pUC00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3aIHa4_1GwO4pUC00" width="1200" height="630" >Two first-time candidates running to represent Covington City Council District A will compete in a runoff on Dec. 12, after receiving the most votes in a three-way race on Nov. 3. Alva Drionne Smith, who finished first with 187 votes, will face off against Maisha Harrell-Bijou, who received 169 votes. Pamala McKay finished third in the election with 114 votes.Both candidates are seeking to fill the seat formerly occupied by Peter Lewis, who resigned in February, citing personal reasons. The winner of the runoff is only guaranteed the District A seat for a few months, as it will be back on the ballot in spring as a full, four-year term open to any qualified candidate. As for now, Smith said she would spend the runoff campaign still trying to connect with voters one-on-one throughout the district.“My plan is to knock on more doors, hit new areas and be more visible,” the Covington native said.Smith, a former member of the Covington Planning and Zoning Commission and a prekindergarten teacher, said she would emphasize to voters that she was ready to step in to bridge the gap between the district and the city administration. This is her first bid for public office.Before teaching prekindergarten, Smith spent 23 years as a paraprofessional in St. Tammany Parish schools. She is a graduate of Covington High School and Grambling State University.“I am here, I am present and I am accessible, and my line is always open,” she said.Harrell-Bijou, a pharmacy technician, said she would continue to emphasize her work as a community volunteer and organizer. Her background includes working for Head Start programs and serving on the West 30s Redemption Company board of directors.“I’m just excited,” said Harrell-Bijou, who is also making her first run for public office. Harrell-Bijou said that leaders in Covington have been asking her to run for many years and she finally decided to take the jump.“I like politics because you can express the voice of the community,” she said.Harrell-Bijou said she will be hosting a kickoff event for the runoff and will continue to engage constituents through the service projects she is involved in.Those include a holiday drive in December, where she will help distribute socks and robes to seniors and toys to children.Whichever candidate wins will likely be campaigning again soon. The District A seat will come back up for reelection in April 2027 as part of the regular election cycle, alongside elections for the rest of the council and the mayor.</div></body>

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Two first-time candidates running to represent Covington City Council District A will compete in a runoff on Dec. 12, after receiving the most votes in a three-way race on Nov. 3. Alva Drionne Smith, who finished first with 187 votes, will face off against Maisha Harrell-Bijou, who received 169 votes....

Two hopefuls headed to runoff for partial Covington term

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Two first-time candidates running to represent Covington City Council District A will compete in a runoff on Dec. 12, after receiving the most votes in a t

Two hopefuls headed to runoff for partial Covington term

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