A total of 17 people have filed their candidacy papers for Coahoma County elected offices, ranging from county supervisor to county sheriff to county constable.
Wednesday, Jan. 2 was the first day candidates could file their papers as the majority of those early filers were waiting as the doors to the Coahoma County Circuit Clerk’s Office opened at 8 a.m.
The deadline to file candidacy papers is 5 p.m. March 1. Those wanting to file can do so at the circuit clerk’s office at the county courthouse in Clarksdale. There is a $100 filing fee and those wanting to file as an independent will need to fill out additional paperwork.
All 17 candidates who had filed as of Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 8 were Democrats.
The primary election will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 6. The winners of the primary will advance to the November general election, which will be held Tuesday, Nov. 5.
There are already two contested races locally as current Chancery Clerk Carolyn Parham is facing a challenge from Alice Foster, of Clarksdale, and the county supervisor for district five, Will Young, is facing a challenge from Shirley H. Fair, of Clarksdale.
Nearly every incumbent has filed to keep their county post except for Tax Assessor/Collector Hattie B. Shivers, who will be retiring at the end of the year.
Ann Marie Williams, of Lyon, is the lone candidate for that seat right now.
Among those filing as of Jan. 8 and the office they are seeking are:
Sheriff: Incumbent Charles Jones, Democrat, 45, of Park Center Drive in Clarksdale.
Chancery Clerk: Incumbent Carolyn Parham, Democrat, 59, of Jackson Avenue in Clarksdale; and Alice Foster, Democrat, 52, of Sunflower River Road in Clarksdale.
Circuit Clerk: Incumbent Demetria Jackson, Democrat, 49, of Lyon Avenue in Clarksdale.
Coroner: Incumbent Scotty A. Meredith, Democrat, 55, of East Second Street in Clarksdale.
County Prosecutor: Incumbent John Sherman, Democrat, 55, of Barry Street in Lyon.
Tax Assessor/Collector: Ann Marie Williams, Democrat, 50, of Mullens-Williams Road in Lyon.
County Supervisor (District 1): Incumbent Paul Pearson, Democrat, 64, of Pearson Road in Lyon.
County Supervisor (District 2): Incumbent Pat Davis, Jr., Democrat, 57, of Farrell Road in Clarksdale.
County Supervisor (District 3): Incumbent Derrell Washington, Democrat, 39, of Mosley Street in Jonestown.
County Supervisor (District 4): Incumbent Johnny Newson, Democrat, 65, of Andrews Street in Clarksdale.
County Supervisor (District 5): Incumbent Will Young, Democrat, 48, of Young Road in Clarksdale; and Shirley H. Fair, Democrat, 64, of Sunflower Avenue in Clarksdale.
Justice Court Judge (Northern District): Incumbent A. Burks Rogers, Democrat, 37, of Haney Lane in Clarksdale.
Justice Court Judge (Southern District): Incumbent Jesse Burton, Democrat, 73, of Jonestown Claremont Road in Clarksdale.
Constable (Northern District): Incumbent John R. Rybolt, III, Democrat, 59, of Bennett Road in Clarksdale.
Constable (Southern District): Incumbent Floyd Williams, Democrat, 63, of Page Avenue in Clarksdale.
