No shortage of candidates for local, state races

Thomas Howard, The Meridian Star, Miss.
·4 min read

Feb. 2—Lauderdale County residents have plenty of candidates to choose from heading into the 2023 election cycle.

On the ballot this year are county offices such as tax assessor, circuit clerk, supervisor and constable, as well as state, state-district and legislative races.

This year's election has several open positions, including sheriff, coroner, District 1 Supervisor and District 1 Justice Court Judge.

In the sheriff's race, Ward Calhoun, Ricky Roberts and Gerald Reon Johnson are all vying to replace Billy Sollie, who announced he will be retiring at the end of his term.

For coroner, an eight candidate race has formed to decide who will succeed Clayton Cobler who elected not to run again for the position.

District 1 Supervisor will also be a crowded race, with five candidates, and seven candidates have qualified for District 1 Justice Court Judge.

Primary elections in the 2023 cycle are set for Aug. 8, with a runoff date of Aug. 29. The general election will be held Nov. 7, with a runoff scheduled for Nov. 28 if it's needed.

Candidates running for local elections include:

County Attorney

Tommy Horne — R (Incumbent)

Sheriff

Ward Calhoun — R

Ricky Roberts — R

Gerald Reon Johnson — D

Chancery Clerk

Carolyn Mooney — R (Incumbent)

Circuit Clerk

Donna Jill Johnson — R (Incumbent)

Tax Assessor

James Rainey — R (Incumbent)

Tax Collector

Doris Spidle — R (Incumbent)

Coroner

Stella McMahan — R

Kenneth Graham — R

John Hollingsworth — R

Kevin Smith — R

Justin "Scrappy" Allen — D

Jonathan Wells — R

Belinda D. Bates — D

Rita Jack — D

Supervisor District 1

Chris Bullock — R

Devin Snowden — R

Justin "JJ" Anders — R

Tyrone Johnson — D

Markeo D. Kendricks — D

Supervisor District 2

Wayman Newell — R (Incumbent)

Carlos Wallace — D

Craig Houston — D

Erick Johnson — R

Supervisor District 3

Josh Todd — R (Incumbent)

Clifford Holloway — R

Supervisor District 4

Joseph "Joe" Norwood — D (Incumbent)

Supervisor District 5

Kyle Rutledge — R (Incumbent)

John Temple- D

Justice Court Judge 1

Merritt Barry — R

Charles Graham — R

Nick Lisi — R

Jessie "Coach" Hill Jr. — D

Gary "G Lamar Chic" Johnson — D

Michelle Griffith Joyner — R

David Rosenbaum Jr. — R

Justice Court Judge 2

Ondray Harris Sr. — D (Incumbent)

Loretta "Lolo Allen" Bennett — I

Justice Court Judge 3

Paul E Earley II — R (Incumbent)

Justice Court Judge 4

Buck Roberts — R (Incumbent)

Constable District 1

Tommie Coker — R (Incumbent)

Constable District 2

Ondray Harris Jr. — D (Incumbent)

Constable District 3

Mike Myers — R (Incumbent)

Constable District 4

Lee "Chuck" Roberts — R (Incumbent)

Election Comm District 2

Consuella Rue — D (Incumbent)

Brenda Faye Harris — D

Election Comm District 4

Gloria Dancy — D (Incumbent)

Candidates qualified for state, state district and legislative seats include:

Governor

Tate Reeves — R (Incumbent)

John Witcher — R

Gregory Wash — D

Brandon Presley — D

Rob Hickingbottom — D

Gwendolyn Gray — I

David Grady Hardigree — R

Lt. Governor

Delbert Hosemann — R (Incumbent)

Shane Quick — R

Tiffany Longino — R

Chris McDaniel — R

D. Ryan Grover — D

Attorney General

Lynn Fitch — R (Incumbent)

Greta Martin — D

Secretary of State

Michael Watson — R (Incumbent)

Shuwaski Young — D

State Treasurer

David McRae — R (Incumbent)

Addie Green — D

Agriculture Commissioner

Andy Gipson — R (Incumbent)

Robert Bradford — D

Bethany Hill — D

Robert Briggs — D

Terry Rodgers II — D

State Auditor

Shad White — R (Incumbent)

Larry Bradford — D

Insurance Commissioner

Mike Chaney — R (Incumbent)

Mitch Young — R

Bruce Burton — D

State Senator District 31

Tyler McCaughn — R (Incumbent)

State Senator District 32

Rod Hickman — D (Incumbent)

State Senator District 33

Jeff Tate — R (Incumbent)

State Representative District 45

Kenny Rush — D

Keith Jackson — D

Michael Cassidy — R

Lindsey Kidd — D

Trent Rickles — I

State Representative District 81

Steve Horne — R (Incumbent)

Ben Shirley — R

State Representative District 82

Charles Young — D (Incumbent)

State Representative District 83

Billy Adam Calvert — R (Incumbent)

Public Service Commissioner (Central District)

Brent Bailey — R (Incumbent)

Dekeither Stamps — D

Transportation Commissioner (Central District)

Willie Simmons — D (Incumbent)

Ricky Pennington Jr. — R

District Attorney (10th District)

Kassie Coleman — R (Incumbent)

Candidate announcements

The Meridian Star is accepting candidate announcements for the elections. Announcements are limited to 300 words and should be accompanied by a color headshot of the candidate. Announcements should include your name, age, the office you are seeking, political affiliation and relevant experience.

Announcements are limited to Lauderdale County candidates and state officials whose district includes Lauderdale County.

Announcements may be submitted to editor@themeridianstar.com. Please include your contact information in the email.