Lincoln Heights council elects Ruby Kinsey Mumphrey mayor after 4–3 vote

The Lincoln Heights Village Council elected Councilwoman Ruby Kinsey Mumphrey mayor on Feb. 12, 2024, voting 4–3 to amend Resolution 2024‑R‑2 to insert her name for the two‑year mayoral term. The council voted by roll call after three candidates — Durrance Daniels, Tanya Key and Kinsey Mumphrey — spoke in support of their plans for the village.

The vote followed solicitor Deepak Desai’s explanation of the village charter procedure for the organizational meeting. Desai told council that, because only six members were seated after the November 2023 election, the charter requires a majority of council (four votes) to elect a mayor and that the first candidate motion that is moved and seconded is the one the body will vote on.

Councilman Durrance Daniels opened the candidate remarks with priorities that included monthly community outreach and youth programs. Councilwoman Tanya Key emphasized adherence to charter rules, shared power and institutional knowledge. Kinsey Mumphrey outlined her six years of prior mayoral leadership and partnerships that she said strengthened the village’s outreach to housing and nonprofit partners.

After initial balloting, a motion to insert Durrance Daniels failed on a 3–4 roll call (yes: Phyllis Baber, Durrance Daniels, Tanya Key; no: Nona Calhoun Mumea, Ruby Kinsey Mumphrey, Laverne Mitchell, Vice Mayor Linda Childs Jeter). A subsequent motion to insert Ruby Kinsey Mumphrey passed 4–3 (yes: Nona Calhoun Mumea, Ruby Kinsey Mumphrey, Laverne Mitchell, Linda Childs Jeter; no: Phyllis Baber, Durrance Daniels, Tanya Key), after which the chair declared Kinsey Mumphrey elected.

Kinsey Mumphrey responded to the vote saying, “Gonna work with you this year. That’s a promise for me,” and urged unity as she begins the term. The council did not take further action on the mayoral selection at the meeting. The election was conducted under the charter rules discussed by the solicitor; council members repeatedly reminded each other and the public that a majority is required and that a single motion-and-vote format governs the selection process.