Meridian’s head of Homeland Security, H.C. “Bunky” Partridge qualified as a Republican candidate in the House District 81 race Thursday, the last day candidates could qualify for election.

State Rep. Steve Horne, also a Republican, is the incumbent seeking re-election to the House District 81 seat.

In reaction to Partridge’s challenge Horne said: “It’s going to be a long summer. He’d better get him some shoes because I’m going to be working hard on the campaign trail.”

Asked why he decided to run for a seat in the Legislature Partridge said: “I want to be responsive to the needs of all the individuals, the neighborhoods and businesses in the district. That’s every person, not just a select few. They deserve a representative who is knowledgeable and capable and prepared to work hard to meet the needs of the people.”

Horne said he has done a good job representing the average citizen in his district and that he has held the line on taxes.

“Sometimes those are tough votes,” Horne said. “But I’m always thinking of the people back home and what they would want. If they are like me they don’t need or want anymore taxes.”

Partridge said he has considered a run for the Legislature before. During the last election he had not lived in the district long enough to qualify as a candidate.

Partridge also said that because of his work experience as Meridian Fire Chief and as director of Homeland Security he has worked to get bills passed in the Legislature and that he knows how the process works.

“It’s time to end the politics of negativity. My politics is the politics of promise,” Partridge said. “I have been very fortunate to have been involved in very forward-thinking and visionary programs for our community. I will bring that same positive outlook to the Legislature.”

Horne said he keeps in touch with the people of his district and is always open and receptive to their needs and opinions.



From Democrat to

independent to Republican



Meridian City Councilman John C. Harris announced Thursday that he had switched from being an independent candidate challenging State Rep. Charles Young, a Democrat, to becoming a Republican candidate in that race.

Because of the change in party affiliation, Harris is no longer a Democratic City Councilman either.

Asked several times in a telephone interview Thursday to explain why he switched to the Republican Party, Harris would not answer the question, ultimately saying “just use the letter,” referring to a press release he issued.

His only response to the question was: “I believe I can better serve the people.”

Asked if that meant he thought he could get more votes as a Republican rather than as a Democrat or independent, Harris said “no.”

His press release said he would be traveling the district sharing ideas for improvement and that the ideas he will advocate will be conservative.

“This campaign is not about me. It is about the voters of Meridian and Lauderdale County. This campaign is about what they think needs to happen. To help this District to experience growth in a way that will benefit everyone. This campaign is neither about race nor party. This campaign is about opening doors of new opportunities and providing those opportunities for the people of District 82,” the release stated.

Asked why he changed political parties if the campaign is not about political parties, Harris referred to his press release again and apparently hung up the telephone.

Terry Cassreino, spokesman for the state Democratic Party, said Thursday that Harris’ change in party affiliation means he’s no longer a Democratic City Councilman.

“I think the City Councilman made a conscious decision to change parties when he filed to run as a Republican. He is no longer a Democrat. He is now a Republican,” Cassreino said. “We’re looking for people loyal to the Party and issues that improve life for all Mississippians.”

Harris will face Bobby Smith, also a Republican candidate for House District 84, in the Aug. 7 primary. Harris defeated Smith for the Meridian Ward 5 Councilman’s seat in 2005.

Other changes in the local political landscape include Lauderdale County Superintendent David Little who switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party on Thursday. Little could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Last minute qualifiers in elections included Republican Bill McBride, who qualified as a candidate in the Lauderdale County District 1 Supervisor’s race. He is the third Republican to qualify for that race.

David “Tad” Campbell, of the Bailey community qualified as a Republican for the House District 84 race. There are eight candidates for that seat, being vacated by State Rep. Eric Robinson, a Republican, who chose not to seek re-election.

And a sixth candidate, Edna E. Riley, joined the race for Lauderdale County Justice Court Judge, District 3, as a Republican.

Here is a list of candidates who have qualified to run for office.

The ballot for the upcoming primary elections on Aug. 7 will include these races.

• State offices: Governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, auditor, treasurer, commissioner of insurance, commissioner of agriculture and commerce, state senators, state representatives, transportation commissioners, public service commissioners

• Local offices: Sheriff, chancery clerk, circuit clerk, tax assessor, tax collector, coroner, superintendent of education, county attorney, surveyor, supervisors, justice court judges, constables, district attorney

Candidates have until March 1 to qualify. Runoffs will be on Aug. 28, if needed. The deadline to register to vote in the primary election is Saturday, July 7, at noon. The general election will be held Nov. 6.



District Attorney District 10



• Ellis “Bilbo” J. Mitchell III, Democrat (incumbent)



Lauderdale County Attorney



• Justin M. Cobb, Republican (incumbent)



Lauderdale County Chancery Clerk



• Rick Entrekin, Republican

• Linda B. Fortenberry, Republican

• Carolyn Mooney, Republican

• Dan Sollie, Republican

• Ross F. Tingle Jr., Republican



Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk



• Donna Jill Johnson, Republican (incumbent)



Lauderdale County Constable District 1



• Robert Lee Green, Democrat

• Tommie L. Coker, Republican

• Earl J. Sharp, Republican

• Terrell “Twin” Thompson, Democrat



Lauderdale County Constable District 2



• Ondray M. Harris Sr., Democrat (incumbent)



Lauderdale County Constable District 3



• Mike Myers, Republican (incumbent)

• Ray Null, Republican

• Chris Scarbrough, Democrat



Lauderdale County Constable District 4/5



• Charles W. Hughes, Democrat

• N.C. “Buck” Roberts, Republican (incumbent)



Lauderdale County Coroner



• Clayton Cobler, Republican (incumbent)



Lauderdale County Justice Court Judge District 1



• Jim Buckley, Republican

• Richard L. “Ricky” Roberts, Republican

• George Warner, Republican



Lauderdale County Justice Court Judge District 2



• Preston Jones, Democrat

• M. Robbie Robinson, Democrat (incumbent)



Lauderdale County Justice Court Judge District 3



• Larry Covert, independent

• Bobby House, Republican

• John McAlister, Republican

• Harold Null, independent

• Edna E. Riley, Republican

• Darrell Theall, Republican



Lauderdale County Justice Court Judge District 4/5



• Gerald Wayne Thompson, independent (incumbent)



Lauderdale County Sheriff



• William D. “Billy” Sollie, Republican (incumbent)



Lauderdale County Superintendent of Education



• Randy Hodges, Republican

• Lamar Johnson, independent

• David Little, Republican (incumbent)



Lauderdale County Supervisor District 1



• Hank Florey, Republican

• Rusty Harrison, Republican

• Bill McBride, Republican



Lauderdale County Supervisor District 2



• Wayman Newell, Republican

• Michael Sims, Democrat

• Jimmie Smith, Democrat (incumbent)



Lauderdale County Supervisor District 3



• Craig Hitt, Republican (incumbent)

• Wally Hudnall, Democrat

• Jerry Shields, Republican



Lauderdale County Supervisor District 4



• Gerald Hudson, Democrat

• Joe Norwood, Democrat (incumbent)



Lauderdale County Supervisor District 5



• Ray Boswell, Democrat (incumbent)

• Susan Madere, Democrat

• Greg Mangum, Republican

• Thomas L. Roberson, Democrat



Lauderdale County Surveyor



• Bruce Williams, independent (incumbent)



Lauderdale County Tax Assessor



• Jimmy Slay, Republican (incumbent)

• Dewayne Todd, Democrat



Lauderdale County Tax Collector



• Leland Harper, Democrat

• Stanley Shannon, Republican (incumbent)

• Ernest London Webster, Democrat



State Representative



District 78



• Billy Nicholson, Democrat (incumbent)

• Randal “Randy” Rushing, Republican



District 81



• Steve Horne, Republican (incumbent)

• H.C. “Bunky” Partridge, Republican



District 82



• John C. Harris, Republican

• Bobby Smith, Republican

• Charles L. Young Sr., Democrat (incumbent)



District 83



• Greg Snowden, Republican (incumbent)



District 84



• David “Tad” Campbell, Republican

• Hugh Davis, Republican

• Jason Dedwylder, Republican

• Eddie Harper, Republican

• Cecil “Matt” Hemphill, independent

• William “Billy” G. Lee, Democrat

• William E. Shirley Jr., Republican

• C.D. Smith, Republican



State Senator



District 31



• Terry C. Burton, Republican (incumbent)

• Fred Hamilton, Democrat

• Travis Watkins, Republican



District 32



• Clark Adams, Democrat

• Sampson Jackson II, Democrat (incumbent)



District 33



• Videt Carmichael, Republican (incumbent)