Seven candidates filed qualifying papers in Tallahatchie County within the closing days of the qualifying period, including one who performed an about-face, according to records on file at the circuit clerk’s office in Charleston.
Beth Ross, 41, of 9358 Tallaha Road, Scobey, had filed Jan. 20 as a Republican candidate for chancery clerk. On Jan. 30, she withdrew as a Republican and filed new qualifying papers as a Democrat for the same post.
On Monday, Jan. 30, Melody Smith, 37, of 5276 Cascilla Road, Cascilla, qualified as an independent candidate for the office of District 1 constable.
Three candidates qualified on Tuesday, Jan. 31.
LaTrenda C. “Trina” Bounds, 45, of 3415 Sharkey Road, Charleston, filed as a Democrat to seek reelection as District 4 election commissioner.
Angela “Angie” Peters Davis, 58, of 1266 Davis Lane, Cascilla, qualified as an independent candidate for the office of coroner.
Justin Booth, 35, of 5033 Cascilla Road, Cascilla, qualified as a Republican candidate for District 3 supervisor.
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the last date for qualifying, two more Tallahatchians tossed their hats into the proverbial ring.
Phillip Jennings II, 32, of 2665 Tutwiler Road, Tutwiler, qualified as a Democratic candidate for District 5 supervisor.
The very last local candidate to come out was Terry D. Crowder, 51, of 6A First St., Charleston, who filed qualifying papers at 3:14 p.m. Wednesday as a Democratic hopeful for District 2 supervisor.
Noticeably absent from the list of qualifiers is Steve Ross, longtime justice court judge in District 1. Ross, who had served 43 years before retiring at the end of 2015, agreed to return in August 2018 at the age of 67 to accept a Tallahatchie County Board of Supervisors appointment when then justice judge Jimmy Fly was pegged to fill the role of sheriff following the resignation of William Brewer. Ross was unopposed in seeking another four-year term in 2019 before deciding to retire again at the close of 2023, with about 48½ years of service.
The primary election will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 8. The primary runoff election, if necessary, will be held Aug. 29. The general election will be Nov. 7.
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Also appearing on this year’s ballot for some voters in Tallahatchie County are school board positions in Education District 3 (a seat on the West Tallahatchie School District Board of Trustees presently held by Edith Gipson) and Education District 8 (a seat on the East Tallahatchie School District Board of Trustees occupied by Raymond Radcliff). Gipson has announced that she will not be seeking reelection.
The school board races are unique in that candidate qualifying for those positions does not begin until Aug. 10, and the deadline to qualify is Sept. 6. School board races will appear on the general election ballot.
