Politicking Is Down To The Final Hours
Months of politicking will culminate in Tuesday’s primary elections as the polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 12 precincts across the county. Only four incumbents in the county are unopposed and the local action is heavy on the Democratic ballot with 33 candidates seeking county positions. There are two local candidates running on the Republican ballot and four independent candidates.
The bid for District 4 Supervisor is one of the most interesting races in the county, with three former supervisors seeking another shot at their old job. Freddie E. Winters, George W. Suggs and Danny Barton will all be on the ballot against incumbent Timothy A. Booker, Sr. A fifth candidate, Eddie B. Harris, also qualified to run on the Democratic ticket in Tuesday’s primary. Harris previously served as District 4 Election Commissioner. A sixth candidate, Curtis Hames, is running for the seat as a Republican and will face the winner of the Democratic Primary in the November General Election.
There will also be five candidates on the Democratic ticket for sheriff. Incumbent William F. “Lance” Humphreys, Roger L. Pollan, James Anthony (Tony) Potts, Luther Gene Folson, Jr. and McKendrick Pawfene Bounds are competing for the Democratic nomination. The winner, which will likely be decided in the Democratic Primary run-off on August 27, will face independent candidate Mark. D. Fulco in the general election.
Five candidates are battling to serve as the next District 2 Justice Court Judge after incumbent Steve Riley, the county’s longest serving official currently in office did not seek re-election. Tommy Defer, Calvin Earl Hawkins, David Wallis and Terry Rockette are all running on the Democratic ticket. The winner will face Trent Howell, who is running as an independent, in the general election.
Five-term incumbent Tax Assessor/Collector Linda Rae Shuffield will face Michael Loyd Walton on the Democratic ticket. The winner will face independent candidate Baine Turnage in the general election.
In the coroner’s race, incumbent Ronnie Stark faces Robert Walker on the Democratic ticket on Tuesday. The winner will face independent candidate Lezelrick Hodges in November.
In the race for District 2 Supervisor, incumbent candidate Kenneth E. Rogers faces Fred Earl White on the Democratic ticket, setting up a rematch from four years ago.
Two candidates are jockeying to succeed two-term incumbent Lee McMinn for the District 3 Supervisor slot. Kenny Harmon and Jacob Pryor are running on the Democratic ticket for this position.
Other contested races in the county include:
• Circuit Clerk – incumbent Daryl Burney faces Sandra Johnson on the Democratic ticket;
• District 1 Constable – incumbent Ralph A. Horton faces Brent Anderson on the Democratic ticket;
• District 2 Constable – Incumbent Randy Simmons faces Cameron Cummings on the Democratic ticket;
• District 1 Supervisor – Incumbent Cayce Washington faces Mickell Dunn in the November General Election. Washington is running as a Democrat and Dunn as a Republican.
Unopposed candidates in the county include Chancery Clerk Amy Fernandez McMinn, District 1 Justice Court Judge Janet Caulder, County Attorney Gail B. Barton and District 5 Supervisor Gaylon Gray.
The deadline to vote absentee is Saturday at noon in the circuit clerks offices in Water Valley and Coffeeville.
Pollworkers who will work on election day include:
Beat One North
W.G. Griffin – RO
Pamela Timmins
Doris Holmes
Judy Sartain
Vivian McKey
Betty Thomas
Richard Soukup
Beat One South
Lowedia Doolin (RO)
Marjorie Moore
Mary Towers
Kayla Byford
Patricia Rodrigue
Carl Upchurch
Beat Two Water Valley
Collen Craven (RO)
Alice Williams
Rubye Carr
Eva Cook
Cathy Magee
Inez Turner
John Hairston
Beat Three Northwest
Jill Clark (RO)
Shirley Avant
Rebecca York
Reeda Cofer
Cathy Patton
Terry Anthony
Beat Three Sylva Rena
Martha Tatum (RO)
Ore Lee Phillips
Bennia Phillips
Connie Champion
Frank Dunn
Shirley Dunn
Beat Four – Coffeeville
Doyle Varner (RO)
Claude Harris
Kyna Logan
Riva Shelton
Donna McKnight
Tameka Clark
Dorothy Holland
Beat Four – Oakland
George M. Worsham (RO)
Lizzie Earl
Della Kendrick
Carolyn Lear
David Herring
Delice Reese
Stephanie Patterson
Beat Five – Coffeeville
Deborah Bourn (RO)
Sandra Rains
Floydette McClora
Jean Farmer
Elsie Harrison
June Byford
Maeci McCullough
Beat Five – Scobey
Joyce Courtney (RO)
Vickie Clay
Tommy Hill
Pauline Jenkins
Grace Jackson
Sharon Blair
Aaron Blair
Beat Five – Scuna-Vann’s Mill North
Inez Russell (RO)
Sue Fly
Sue Russell
Amanda Moore
Clara Jarod
Linda Sims
Beat Five – Scuna-Vann’s Mill South
Terry Eubanks (RO)
Elizabeth Coleman
Cathy Harrison
Julie Coleman
Carol Harrison
James Calder
Beat Five – Tillatoba
Callie Hoop (RO)
Earnestine Matthews
Susan Howe
John Cook
Wardene Booker
Essie Gary
Jean Durham
(RO – Indicates Return Officer in each precinct. Tis person brings the ballot box from the precinct to the Water Valley courthouse to count the ballots.
