The winners of two Tallahatchie County elected offices, and the party nominee of a third, will hinge upon the outcome of Aug. 27 runoffs, according to the results of Tuesday’s Democratic Party primary.
In the only local countywide race to require a runoff showdown, four-term incumbent coroner Ginger Smith Meriwether will duel perennial challenger Anthony “Tony” Hawkins. Meriwether led a field of three candidates Tuesday, garnering 2,160 votes (47 percent). Hawkins was second with 2,031 (44 percent) while Hope Clark swept up the remaining 424 votes (9 percent).
District 3 Supervisor Larry Cole was the top vote-getter in a four-man contest and will face Philip Ross in a runoff. Cole compiled 465 votes (47 percent) to Ross’ 239 (24 percent). Roger Allbritton (175, or 18 percent) and Pate Brown III (109, or 11 percent) rounded out the count. Cole is seeking a third term on the Tallahatchie County Board of Supervisors.
Former five-term District 1 constable Jimmy N. Manues made a strong bid for a comeback after sitting on the sidelines for the past four years. He led the three-way race and will face Frank Chambers III in a runoff. Manues compiled 966 votes (35 percent), Chambers 951 (35 percent) and one-term incumbent constable Jerry “Bubba” Williams 807 (30 percent). Independent hopeful Melody Smith waits in the wings.
In the race for Tallahatchie County sheriff, current officeholder Jimmy Fly dominated nine fellow Democrats, claiming a first-ballot primary win on Tuesday. Fly amassed 2,626 votes (54 percent). Sumner Police Chief Maurice D. Brooks was closest to Fly, receiving 508 votes (11 percent). Rounding out the field were Terry Tyler, 478 (10 percent); Clifton Earl Harris, 347 (7 percent); John A. Page Sr., 332 (7 percent); Jean Marie Hooper, 212 (4 percent); Donnie L. Tenner, 145 (3 percent); Brandon R. Hodges, 144 (3 percent); Michael German, 30 (0.5 percent); and Lloyd “007” Denton, 8 (0.5 percent). Fly is seeking his first full term as the county’s chief law enforcement officer after having been appointed to the post following the 2018 resignation of former sheriff William L. Brewer Jr. Fly faces independent Rodzinski Weekly in November.
In other local races, Circuit Clerk Daphane Neal recorded the greatest margin of victory, compiling 3,672 votes (79 percent) to Monica Presley’s 998 (21 percent) to win a second term to that position.
Incumbent County Prosecuting Attorney Carol Jones Turner easily held off a challenge from Lance D. Tennyson to claim a second term. Turner compiled 2,863 votes (62 percent) to Tennyson’s 1,737 (38 percent).
District 1 Supervisor Kenneth “Buck” Havens won the Democratic nomination with 769 votes (66 percent) to Zipora “Koot” Hudson’s 402 (34 percent). Independent Randy E. Bonner is the last hurdle for Havens, who is seeking a fourth term.
In vying for a sixth term, District 2 Supervisor Johnny Goodwin easily topped KaShaumie Truly for the party nomination, wrapping up 567 votes (63 percent) to Truly’s 330 (37 percent). Independents Bryan Roberson and Leon Smith remained in the hunt Tuesday night.
Incumbent District 4 Supervisor Marcus Echols defeated two challengers to win election to a third term. Echols tallied 494 votes (57 percent), Lacy Murphey 224 (26 percent) and William McClellan 145 (17 percent).
Incumbent District 5 Supervisor Eddie J. Meeks turned back a challenge from the man he unseated in 2015. Meeks accumulated 454 votes (55 percent) to Cary D. Hayes’ 371 (45 percent) in winning a second term.
Incumbents Anita Mullen Greenwood (chancery clerk), Dorothy M. Martin (tax assessor and collector), Steve Ross (District 1 justice court judge), Denise Washington (District 2 justice court judge) and Clifton H. Bailey (District 2 constable) were unopposed Tuesday and face no general election opposition.
Election officials said 56 affidavit ballots were cast on Tuesday. Of that number, 51 were to be considered Wednesday by the Tallahatchie County Democratic Executive Committee while the remaining five are pending confirmation of voter ID.
Neal said the number of local voters casting an absentee ballot dropped from 855 during the 2015 primary election to 485 leading up to Tuesday’s election.
Total voter participation in the primary was down from 57 percent of registered voters in 2015 to 52 percent this year, continuing a recent downward spiral. In 2011, 63 percent of local voters cast a ballot in the first election.
A reported 57 emergency paper ballots were utilized by voters at the Murphreesboro and/or Rosebloom precincts. Poll workers reportedly were unable to unlock their touch-screen voting machines for public use for several hours after the polls opened at 7 Tuesday morning. Tallahatchie County Democratic Executive Committee Chairman Bennie Paige Jr. said poll workers apparently could not locate a required key to make the machines operable.
Overall, several election officials reported that Tuesday’s voting ran smoothly.
Results of statewide and state district races featured on local ballots were unavailable prior to press time.
IN THE PHOTO: Election officials tend to precinct ballot boxes being delivered and stacked in the courtroom of the Tallahatchie County Courthouse in Charleston, where tabulation of the results of the Aug. 6 primaries occurred Tuesday night. (Photo by Clay McFerrin)
