Constable Chuck Roberts, left, and District 2 Supervisor Wayman Newell fill out qualifying forms to run for another term Tuesday morning at the Lauderdale County Courthouse.

UPDATE: This story has been updated to show candidates qualified through Friday, Jan. 6.

More than 20 current and aspiring elected officials lined up outside the Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk’s office on Tuesday as the qualifying period for the 2023 election opened at 8 a.m.

The primary election is Aug. 8, with a runoff date of Aug. 29 if needed. The general election will be Nov. 7, with a runoff date of Nov. 28.

Positions up for grabs this year include county supervisors, sheriff, coroner, circuit clerk, chancery clerk, tax assessor, tax collector, county attorney, district attorney, constables and justice court judges.

Statewide and state district offices will also be featured on the ballot include state representatives, state senators, all three transportation commissioners and three public service commissioners, governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, attorney general and more.

Candidates running for local office qualify at the circuit clerk’s office while statewide and state district positions, as well as the district attorney race, submit their qualifying paperwork to the Secretary of State’s office.

All candidates have until 5 p.m. on February 1 to fill out the qualifying forms and pay their fees to be featured on the ballot.

Candidates filing qualifying papers as of 4p.m. Wednesday include:

County Attorney

County Attorney Tommy Horne has filed qualifying papers to seek another term.

Sheriff

Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Ward Calhoun will face off in the Republican primary against Ricky Roberts to decide who will succeed current Sheriff Billy Sollie. Sollie announced he would be retiring at the end of this term.

Roberts is a Justice Court Judge. 

Chancery Clerk

Chancery Clerk Carolyn Mooney has filed qualifying papers to seek another term.

Circuit Clerk

Circuit Clerk Donna Jill Johnson has filed qualifying papers to seek another term.

Tax Assessor

Tax Assessor James Rainey has filed qualifying papers to seek another term.

Tax Collector

Tax Collector Doris Spidle has filed qualifying papers to seek another term.

Coroner

Stella McMahan, Kenneth Graham, John Hollingsworth, Kevin Smith, Justin “Scrappy” Allen and District 1 Supervisor Jonathan Wells have submitted qualifying paperwork to succeed Clayton Cobler as coroner. 

McMahan, Graham, Hollingsworth, Smith and Wells will face off against each other in the August 8 Republican primary. 

Supervisor District 1

Chris Bullock, Devin Snowden, Justin “JJ” Anders and Tyrone Johnson have submitted qualifying paperwork to succeed Jonathan Wells as District 1 Supervisor. Bullock, Snowden and Anders will face off in the August 8 Republican primary. 

Supervisor District 2

District 2 Supervisor Wayman Newell has filed qualifying papers to seek another term. 

Carlos Wallace has filed qualifying papers.

Supervisor District 3

District 3 Supervisor Josh Todd has filed qualifying papers to seek another term.

Supervisor District 4

District 4 Supervisor Joseph “Joe” Norwood has filed qualifying papers to seek another term.

Supervisor District 5

District 5 Supervisor Kyle Rutledge has filed qualifying papers to seek another term.

Justice Court Judge 1

Candidates Merritt Barry, Charles Graham and Nick Lisi have qualified to run as Justice Court Judge 1. The winner of the election will succeed Ricky Roberts, who is running for sheriff.

David Rosenbaum Jr. had filed qualifying paperwork but temporarily withdrew his name to further research the federal Hatch Act. Rosenbaum plans to re-qualify prior to the Feb. 1 deadline.

Justice Court Judge 2

Ondray Harris Sr. has filed qualifying papers to seek another term.

Justice Court Judge 3

Justice Court Judge Paul E Earley II has filed qualifying papers to seek another term.

Justice Court Judge 4

Justice Court Judge Buck Roberts has filed qualifying papers to seek another term.

Constable District 1

Constable Tommie Coker has filed qualifying papers to seek another term.

Constable District 2

Constable Ondray Harris Jr. has filed qualifying papers to seek another term.

Constable District 3

Constable Mike Myers has filed qualifying papers to seek another term.

Constable District 4

Constable Lee “Chuck” Roberts has filed qualifying papers to seek another term.

All the candidates filing papers are Republicans, except for District 4 Supervisor Joe Norwood, District 2 Justice Court Judge Ondray Harris Sr., District 2 Constable Ondray Harris Jr., District 1 Supervisor candidate Tyrone Johnson, District 2 Supervisor candidate Carlos Walker and Coroner candidate Justin “Scrappy” Allen, who are Democrats.

Candidate announcements

The Meridian Star is accepting candidate announcements for the elections. Announcements are limited to 300 words and should be accompanied by a color headshot of the candidate. Announcements should include your name, age, the office you are seeking, political affiliation and relevant experience.

Announcements are limited to Lauderdale County candidates and state officials whose district includes Lauderdale County.

Announcements may be submitted to editor@themeridianstar.com. Please include your contact information in the email.