Ahead of straw vote, Springfield councilors think they have votes for president, VP in the bag

SPRINGFIELD — At-large City Councilor Jose Delgado said Thursday he has enough votes to become the next council vice president.

For president, Tracye Whitfield — who also is elected citywide — reiterated Thursday ahead of a Monday straw vote that she has secured the seven votes needed to win.

But Councilor Melvin Edwards said Thursday he is not conceding the presidency.

"The official vote is not the day after the election," Edwards, who served as vice president from 2022 through 2024, said in a phone interview Thursday.

He was referring to Whitfield's news release soon after the Nov. 4 election, saying she had the backing of Councilors Kateri Walsh, Zaida Govan, Justin Hurst, Gerry Martin, Lavar Click-Bruce and Malo Brown, plus her own vote.

Jose Delgado says he has the votes to be vice president of the Springfield City Council.republican

Delgado — now entering his second term as an at-large councilor — wouldn't say Thursday who has his vote for council president.

The official vote isn't even Monday. That official vote comes in January, after the newly elected council is seated.

Tracye Whitfield is seeking the presidency of the Springfield City Council. (Provided photo)republican

But councilors will take the informal straw vote Monday after the close of regular council business. That vote will include Hurst and Martin, who were elected in November but don't currently sit on council.

The president is chief parliamentarian and runs meetings, and also makes committee assignments. The president also stands in for the mayor if need be.

Springfield Ward 3 City Councilor Melvin A. Edwards says key spots on the council aren't sewn up yet. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican, File)

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