In Mississippi we pick our judges like we pick class favorites. The winner is whoever gets the most votes. The qualifying deadline passed, just minutes ago, and below are your candidates.
This post is focused on certain Family Law Judge races primarily, because that is what I primarily do. I will expound on other judicial races in future posts. This link will take you to all of the candidates.
Races to Watch.
HINDS COUNTY
Chancery Court Judge Sub 5-1
Dewayne Thomas
Unopposed. Congratulations Judge Thomas.
Chancery Court Judge Sub 5-2
Patricia Wise – Current Chancellor – Withdrawn
The rumor mill had her retiring effective the end of this year and that appears true as she is not listed among the candidates.
Reginald Harrion
Qualified early and is in it to win it.
Crystal Wise Martin
Recently qualified. Interestingly, this is Judge Wise’s daughter. She was technically running against her mother for a few weeks.
Chancery Court Judge Sub 5-3
Denise Owens
Unopposed. The current Senior Chancellor is signing up for 4 more years. Congratulations Judge Owens
Chancery Court Judge Sub 5-4
Steven P. Nixon
Qualified early and was hoping to be the only candidate in the field. However, three additional candidates qualified to run for this spot this week. This is an Open seat due to Judge Singletary’s announced retirement.
Tiffany Grove
Qualified this week.
Monique Brown-Barrett
Qualified this week.
Ottawa Carter, Jr.
Qualified this week.
RANKIN COUNTY
Chancery Court Judge 20, 1
John C. McLaurin, Jr.
Unopposed. Congratulations Judge McLaurin.
Chancery Court Judge 20, 1
Tamekia Cooper Bennett
Mel Coxwell
Troy Odom
Place 2 is the race to watch in Rankin. Judicial stalwart John Grant is retiring.
Chancery Court Judge 20, 3
Haydn J. Roberts
Unopposed. Congratulations Judge Roberts
LAUDERDALE COUNTY
Chancery Court Judge 12 – 1 (includes other areas)
Charles E. “Charlie” Smith
Frances Smith Stephenson
This should be a tight race. This is an open seat due to Judge Mason’s retirement. The winner will have big shoes to fill with Mason’s retirement, but will have perhaps the best asset possible across the hall for all things Chancery, their colleague Judge Larry Primeaux.
LEFLORE COUNTY
Chancery Court Judge 7, Sub 7-2 (includes additional Delta counties)
Katherine Tackett Mills
Willie J. Perkins, Sr.
Richard W. Ryals, II
This is an open seat due to Judge Barnwell’s retirement.
SIMPSON COUNTY
Chancery Court Judge 13, 1
David Shoemake
Allen Buffington
Judge Shoemake had an opponent early on who withdrew to run for Andy Gipson’s position once Gipson was elevated (removed) from the legislature. Buffington is a familiar name, but it is NOT the previous Judge Buffington, that was Larry. This will be an interesting race to watch. Shoemake has some weak spots…
THE COAST
Chancery Court Judge 8, 3
Margaret Alfonso
Diane Herman Ellis
Sanford R. (Sandy) Steckler
This race is exciting because of the candidates. Judge Steckler is the incumbent. Judge Alfonso is a former Chancellor who left Chancery for Youth Court (County Court) and is now running. This makes a very recent former Chancellor against a current Chancellor and they actually served together.
Attorney Ellis, a practitioner, has some acclaim for a case of first impression in Mississippi that ultimately made law that a child born of the marriage, of a same-sex marriage is of the marriage, even though genetic material may have come from a different source.
There are other hotly contested races in Starkville, Hattiesburg, the Coast and other judicial positions. Stay tuned for the 411!
Matthew Thompson is a lawyer and will likely run for judge in 15-25 years. It’s never too early to start campaigning!
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