District health officer on smallpox, West Nile
By By William F. West / community editor
March 2, 2003
Last-minute surprises were the order Saturday as candidates rushed to meet a 5 p.m. qualifying deadline for state and local offices in the 2003 elections.
In Meridian, Fire Chief H.C. "Bunky" Partridge filed papers to run as an independent for Lauderdale County chancery clerk. Partridge, however, would not comment on his candidacy.
Partridge also would not say if ethics allegations against him will affect his candidacy. The state Ethics Commission found "probable cause" that Partridge violated state ethics laws in work he did with the regional training center Three I Public Safety Inc.
In other East Mississippi races, some state legislators found themselves Saturday with last-minute opposition.
Sen. Videt Carmichael of Meridian, a first-termer and a recent GOP convert, will meet former state Sen. Brad Carter in the Republican primary. Independent Gilford Dabbs III will challenge the winner in the November general election.
Rep. Greg Snowden, a first-term Republican from Meridian, will face a Democratic opponent, Donald Price, in the November general election.
Sen. Terry Burton of Newton, another GOP convert, learned last week he will face a Democratic opponent, Jason Mangum. There's now also an independent candidate in that contest, Luke Gibbon.
Steve Horne, a Republican running for the House seat held by his dad, Tommy, will face a GOP opponent in August. Republican Party spokesman Michael Goode said Harold D. White also will run for the seat.
Closer to Meridian, another last day qualifier was for Lauderdale County sheriff.
Democrat Larry Covert joined fellow Democrat Joseph Nabors, both of whom will compete in the party primary for the right to take on Republican incumbent Billy Sollie in November.
In the County Supervisor District 4 contest, Harry R. Routt filed papers to run as an independent.
The district is represented by Democrat Joe Norwood, who faces Democratic opposition from Rickey Harris. Also running are two other independents Cedric Parks and Susie VanDevender.
Rounding out last day qualifiers was Jim Buckley, who will run as an independent for County Justice Court Judge District 1. He is seeking the position held by Republican incumbent Jim Edwards.
Five county officials drew no opposition this year: Circuit Clerk Donna Jill Johnson, a Republican; District 2 Justice County Judge M. Robbie Robinson, a Democrat; District 1 Constable Ricky Roberts, a Republican; District 2 Constable Ondray Harris Sr., a Democrat; and County Surveyor Bruce Williams, an independent.
