Sheriffs face opponents in Forrest, Lamar counties. Get more election details here

Lici Beveridge, Hattiesburg American
·3 min read

Mississippians will be going to the polls Tuesday to elect some of the state's top positions, including governor, lieutenant governor and secretary of state.

But there are other races that will need to be decided as well, including those on the Hattiesburg-area level. Many local races were decided in the August party primaries, but there are still a few that are noteworthy.

Forrest County

  • Republican Charlie Sims will face Democrat Kenny Johnson in the sheriff's race.

  • District 2 Supervisor Sharon A. Thompson, a Democrat, will face Republican Gerald B. Steele.

  • Democrat incumbent Roderick Woullard will face Republican Brian Cawthon in the District 4 Supervisor race.

  • District 2 Justice Court Judge Zachary M. Vaughn, a Republican, will face Democrat Brenda Roberts.

  • Two constable races also will need to be decided. District 3 Constable Jennifer Brown Harris, a Democrat, will face independent candidate Jerry Alford.

  • In District 4, Democratic Constable Tommy Joe "Cookie" Cook will face Republican Michael Barnes.

  • Republican Tax Assessor Mary Ann Palmer will face independent candidate Charles "Chip" Brown.

  • County Prosecutor Mary Lee Holmes, who is running as an independent, will face Republican Jack Denton.

  • Republican Circuit Clerk Gwen Wilks will face Democrat David Breland on Tuesday.

  • Forrest County will have a new coroner in either Democrat Gregory E. Fluker or Republican Lisa Klem.

A voter steps up to cast her vote at Thames Elementary School, the precinct for Ward 3 in Hattiesburg, Miss., during municipal elections Tuesday, June 8, 2021.
A voter steps up to cast her vote at Thames Elementary School, the precinct for Ward 3 in Hattiesburg, Miss., during municipal elections Tuesday, June 8, 2021.

Election 2023: Where to vote in Forrest County

Special election

Forrest County District 1 Election Commissioner Gentry Mordica ran in the District 1 supervisor's race, so his position on the election commission will need to be filled once Mordica is sworn into the supervisor's position in January.

Two candidates, Dale Beavers and Neil Harrison, are running as independents.

Lamar County

  • Longtime Sheriff Danny Rigel, who won a narrow victory in the Republican primary, will face another challenge in James "Jamie" Murray, who also has an extensive background in law enforcement.

  • House District 99, incumbent Republican Bill Pigott will face Green Party candidate Gregory "Todd" Fortenberry.

  • Incumbent Republican Bill Anderson will face Democrat Shronda Carter in the District 1 Justice Court Judge's race.

Election 2023: Where to vote in Lamar County

Election details

  • Voters who have election-related questions may call the Mississippi Secretary of State's Elections Answerline at 800-829-6786.

  • To report suspected elections fraud, call the Mississippi Elections Fraud Hotline at 800-829-6786.

  • Polls open at 7 a.m. and close when the last voter in line at 7 p.m. has cast a ballot.

  • Mississippi MOVE, with support from Black Voters Matter Fund, OneVoice, Black with NO Chaser, Fair Count and Southern Partners Fund, will offer its annual "Roll2ThePolls," which offers a polling-precinct ride-share service from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Rides to polling places are free. To book a ride, visit msmove.org or leave a voicemail at 662-205-6683.

  • If any race fails to meet the 50%-plus-1 threshold in any of the contested races, a runoff will be held Nov. 28.

Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: See Forrest, Lamar county MS election details