School teacher defeats politician in tight race to replace longtime Hancock chancery clerk

School teacher Tiffany Lee Cowman won the Republican primary in the race to replace retiring Hancock County Chancery Clerk Tim Kellar.

Cowman defeated Hancock County Supervisor Kodie Koenenn is the primary runoff, with 4,035 votes, or 53.8%. Koenenn received 3,452 votes, or 46.03%. Cowman will face Democrat Henry Ward in the Nov. 7 general election.

“I am proud to be the Republican nominee for the chancery clerk’s position,” Cowman said Tuesday night. “We’ll have an election in November, so there’s still work to be done.”

She said knocking on doors and letting people get to know her made the difference in the race.

Cowman and Koennen were the top vote-getters in a field of four that included financial broker J.C. Brignone and accountant Jordan Bradford.

The winner of the general election will replace longtime Chancery Clerk Tim Kellar, who is retiring after 28 years in office.

Cowman, is a school teacher working on her doctorate, while Koennen is finishing his first term as supervisor for District 3.

Cowman defeated Koenenn in Diamondhead, where he started his political career as a city councilman, in both the primary and the runoff. She held her victory party at the Diamondhead Country Club.

The chancery clerk’s race was one of the most talked about races on the Coast this election cycle.