Young will never be replaced

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May 9, 2009

By Steve Gillespie / managing editor The Meridian Star Sat May 09, 2009, 10:45 PM CDT

On June 9 area voters will return to the polls to vote for a person to fill our District 82 seat in the Legislature.

During that election voters won't find a "D" for Democrats, an "R" for Republicans, or an "I" for independents on the ballot because in Mississippi special elections are non-partisan.

According to Pamela Weaver, communications director for the Mississippi Secretary of State's office, candidates in special elections do not claim party affiliation because there is not sufficient time for the candidate to receive the nomination of their party.

You might want to note in our story on today's front page of the paper by Ida Brown, that she asked all the candidates what their party affiliation is.

Robert Barfield said he is a Democrat.

John Harris said he is a Democrat. He was elected to Meridian's City Council in 2005 as a Democrat. Later he filed as an independent to challenge State Rep. Charles Young, then became a Republican in the House District 82 primaries in 2007 and was defeated by Bobby Smith. He also is running for re-election now, as a Democrat for Meridian City Council. That election is one week before the special election.

Roscoe Jones said he is a Democrat.

Wilbert Jones said he is a Democrat.

Bill Marcy said he is a Republican. He previously ran for Mississippi's 3rd U.S. Congressional seat and for a short time was a Meridian mayoral candidate as a Republican.

If necessary a runoff is scheduled for June 30.

One of these people will take the seat held by the late Honorable Charles L. Young Sr. A Democrat, Young worked hard to improve the lives of Mississippians for nearly 30 years in the Legislature. But he will never be replaced.

I hope whichever candidate is successful will consider doing something with the law that will prevent the Governor from calling a special election and having the filing deadline the same week of the funeral of the legislator who's seat has become vacant.

I'm sure it wasn't meant to be, but it was tacky and insensitive.

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