There will be a contested race for sheriff in Coahoma County this year, while the field grew among those seeking a spot on the county supervisors board.
Stacy Lester, 44, of Ohio Avenue in Clarksdale, filed candidacy papers on Monday, Jan. 28 as a Democrat seeking the office of sheriff.
Lester, who is currently a corporal in the Clarksdale Police Department and police chief for the town of Lula, previously worked at the Coahoma County Sheriff’s Office from 2006-2014.
Incumbent Charles Jones, 45, of Park Center Drive in Clarksdale, has already filed his papers as he seeks re-election.
Jones is currently in his third four-year term as sheriff. Prior to becoming sheriff, he was the police chief of Friars Point from 2004-2009, worked in the Coahoma County Sheriff's Office from 2002-2006 and was an officer in the Clarksdale Police Department from 1994-2001.
On Jan. 9, Mary Frances Dear-Moton filed as a Democrat seeking the office of county supervisor for District 5. The 64-year-old Dear-Moton resides on Monroe Avenue in Clarksdale.
Others seeking the District 5 county supervisors seat include incumbent Will Young, Democrat, 48, of Young Road in Clarksdale, and Shirley H. Fair, Democrat, 64, of Sunflower Avenue in Clarksdale.
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.
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 Nov. 5.
Among those filing as of Jan. 30 and the office they are seeking are:
Sheriff: Incumbent Charles Jones, Democrat, 45, of Park Center Drive in Clarksdale; and Stacy Lester, 44, Democrat, of Ohio Avenue 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; and Rotosca Shanks Harris, 46, of Killebrew Street 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; Shirley H. Fair, Democrat, 64, of Sunflower Avenue in Clarksdale; and Mary Frances Dear-Moton, 64, of Monroe 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.
