Ondray Harris Jr.

SHERIFF

William D. “Billy” Sollie

Residence: Collinsville.

Party: Republican.

Office sought: Lauderdale County Sheriff.

Education: Graduate of Meridian High School, Meridian Community College and University of Southern Mississippi.

Work experience: Began as a patrolman in 1974 with the Meridian Police Department. Rose through the ranks, retiring as police chief in 1994. Served as first Meridian Public School Security Coordinator beginning in 1994. Elected sheriff in 1995, taking office in January 1996 and serving since then.

Why are you running: With 45 years of experience, making both good and sometimes not so good decisions, I have the knowledge to continue the professionalism established at the Lauderdale County Sheriff Department.

Why are you a good candidate: The team we have assembled is recognized as professionals by their peers around the state. They strove to be the first state accredited law enforcement agency (2007) and have maintained that status since. I have served as second, first vice president and president of the Mississippi Sheriff’s Association. I am a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy in 1991. We strive to be community oriented and constantly seek feedback from the community as to issues they wish addressed. The contacts I have developed at the local, state and federal level provide us with resources to assist us in the protection of residents and visitors of our county.

Contact: Office 601-482-9806 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F), cell 601-934-3666, email sheriff@lauderdalecounty.org or lcso1@aol.com.

JUSTICE COURT JUDGE DISTRICT 2

Ondray M. Harris Sr.

Residence: Lauderdale County.

Party: Democratic.

Office sought: Justice Court Judge Seat 2, Lauderdale County.

Education: High school graduate; 10 weeks of law enforcement training academy; 80 hours of training classes at Mississippi Judicial College.

Work experience: 10 years as police officer for the town of Marion; 3 years as police officer for the city of Meridian.

Public office held: 25 years as constable; 2 1/2 years as Justice Court Judge.

Why are you running: The law experience I have as a police officer, constable and Justice Court judge.

Why are you a good candidate: I believe that a public official should have an open door with the citizens where he presides. In my 32 years as a public official that is what I have to brought to this office. I have served with an open heart, bright smile and personality. Always open to help or give direction in that way. As a Justice Court judge, I have sat on the bench in over 200 cases and have ordained myself to hear the truth according to the law in making my decisions.

Contact: email ondrayharris4@gmail.com; cell 601-938-1107; office 601-482-9877; fax 601-482-9813.

Cameron Coleman

Residence: Meridian

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Office Sought: Justice Court Judge, District 2, Lauderdale County

Education: High School Diploma; Associate Degree in Drafting; lack 12 hours credit for Degree in Architectural Engineering from University of Southern Mississippi.

Work Experience:  5/6 years as night manager at O’Reilly’s Auto Parts, 6 years at Pioneer Automotive Industries as internal engine and high-performance product manager; and now work as parts sales at Nelson Hall Chevrolet.

Why are you running? I grew up as the son of a Lauderdale County Court Judge.  He served with honesty and integrity and I feel I can continue his legacy as a servant of the people of Lauderdale County, Mississippi as their Justice Court Judge, serving all the people with compassion, faith and honesty.

Why are you a good candidate for this office?   I watched my father as County Court Judge for 31 years years serve the people of this community.  He always showed compassion but always followed the Rule of Law without partiality.  He instilled in me what it means to serve a community who has placed their trust in you as their servant.  I was raised in the church and taught from the time I was little that all people are created equal in God’s image.  That all deserved compassion with fairness and integrity.  I am asking for the people of District 2, Justice Court Judge, to vote for me and let me serve you with the honesty and integrity the community is entitled to.

How can voters reach you?    They can write Frank Coleman at P. O. Box 5822, Meridian, MS 39302 or call him at his office at 601-693-8204.

JUSTICE COURT JUDGE SEAT 3

Joseph Denson

Residence: Meridian.

Party affiliation: Democratic.

Office sought: Lauderdale County Justice Court Judge, District 3

Education: Honors high school diploma, Meridian High School (1998); bachelor’s degree in political science, Tougaloo College (2002); Juris Doctorate Degree, Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law (2005).

Work experience: The Law Office of Denson & Associates, PLLC (2005-to present) trial Lawyer for 14 years; city of Meridian public defender (2006-2017); Mississippi Capital Post Conviction Counsel (99-00); Davis, Goss, and Williams, Attorneys, (95-99); assistant pastor, Meridian Holiness Deliverance Church.

Public offices held: Public Defender for the City of Meridian, MS (2006-2017).

Why are you running: I believe the citizens of Lauderdale County District 3, deserve an experienced, trained and qualified Judge making decisions.

Why are you a good candidate: I have 14 years of trial experience and I am a law school graduate. I have tried, as plaintiff or defense counsel, almost every possible case that is heard in the Justice Court throughout the state of Mississippi. I am a Christian, husband, and father. I believe that justice cannot fair until the judge knows the law.

Contact: Call 601-513-5956, visit www.densonforjudge.com, Facebook: Denson for Judge.

Paul Earley

Residence: Collinsville, Lauderdale County.

Party affiliation: Republican.

Office sought: Justice Court Judge, Seat 3, Lauderdale County.

Education: Associate of Arts Degree.

Work experience: 27 years in law enforcement.

Public offices held: Nearly 1½ years as the Justice Court Judge of District 3 Lauderdale County.

Why are you running: I have served Meridian/Lauderdale County for more than 20 years. I wish to continue serving the residents as their Justice Court Judge as I have for the past year and a half.

Why are you a good candidate: I was appointed by the Board of Supervisors of Lauderdale County as the Justice Court Judge for District 3 in February 2018. I will have been serving as the District 3 Judge for almost two years once the election is complete. I have gained experience and knowledge as the judge to add to what I have already brought with me to the justice court. I have been honest and fair and will continue to be as a judge for the people of Lauderdale County.

Contact: Email at pearley@lauderdalecounty.org or message me on Facebook at the Committee to Re-Elect Paul Earley page.

Tarquez Hopson

Residence: Meridian.

Party: Democratic.

Office sought: Lauderdale County Justice Court Judge District 3

Education:  2007 honors graduate of Meridian High School; 2013 bachelor of science in business administration with an emphasis in accounting and finance University of Southern Mississippi; 2017 master of education Grand Canyon University.

Work experience: City of Meridian (Meridian Municipal Court & Police Department); Meridian Public School District (educator, coach, and bus driver); Longhorn Steakhouse and Red Lobster (14 years: server, service professional, culinary professional, bartender; certified trainer); The Carter Foundation (mentor and Jayhawks basketball coach); NFusionX (mentor).

Why are you running: I am running “For the People and for Justice.” I am running to bring civility and respect back into the courtroom and in society. I am running for the “New Generation of Justice and Justice Takes Courage!”

Why are you a good candidate: What make me a “great” candidate are the opportunities I have been given to be impartial and unbiased when it comes to the law and life in general. … My current position as a deputy clerk and as the assistant to the municipal court judge and pro tem, along with my past experiences, has prepared and positioned me to be the best candidate for Justice Court Judge District 3. While at MPD, not only do I work within court system, I also ride-along with trained Meridian police officers to see how they operate in the field of work. While being in the courtroom I have sat in on hundreds of misdemeanor and felonious trial cases.

Contact: P.O. Box 1631, Meridian, MS 39302; Campaign Headquarters: 1000 45th Ave., Meridian, MS 39307; HopsonforJCJudge3@gmail.com; Facebook: @HopsonforJCJudge; Cell 832-242-3160.

JUSTICE COURT DISTRICT 4

Van M. Goodman

Residence: Meridian, Whynot Community for 21 years.

Party: Republican.

Office sought: Justice Court Judge, District 4, Lauderdale County.

Education: Cleveland High School, Cleveland, MS; Attended Delta State University, 2 years; bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University;  master’s degree from Arkansas State University.

Work experience: High school on family farm, in Cleveland and Shelby, MS area; 2 years during college, Simmons-Belk Inc., Cleveland, MS; 3 years during college, Simmons-Belk, Inc., Jonesboro, AR; 1986 to present: Farm Bureau Insurance, Claims Department (working on the 34th year).

Public offices held: None; I have never run for public office.

Why are you running: In my current employment I have had to file a fair number of lawsuits through the Justice Court system. I find it to be an interesting process and a job that I am certain I am capable of handling. I am certain I will enjoy immensely. I told Judge Gerald Wayne Thompson several election cycles earlier that once he decided he was going to retire, I wanted to run for his office. The time is now!

Why are you a good candidate: The office of Justice Court Judge requires an individual who is able to listen to both parties involved and do so without prejudice to either. He or she must be unbiased in all aspects, other than what the law prescribes as it applies to the case. The Justice Court Judge must ensure that the Rule of Law is applied, regardless.

My real world work experience for the past 33 plus years, has been tailor made training for the office of Justice Court Judge. After listening to the parties involved in disputed claims matters, I then turn to the applicable law, be it statue or case law to make a decision on the denial of a claim for damages, or the acceptance of liability. My track record of proper decisions is evident by the lack of lawsuits that have been filed concerning liability decisions I have made over the years. Hearing what people say and applying that to the actual facts in light of the law has been imperative in my current work and will serve me well as a Justice Court Judge for Lauderdale county.

Contact: email: whynotgoodman@gmail.com; website: goodmanforjudge.com; phone: 601-938-7866.

Danny Knight

Residence: Lifetime resident of Lauderdale County. 

Party: Republican.

Office sought: Justice Court Judge, District 4, Lauderdale County. 

Education: Graduate of Meridian High School, attended Meridian Junior College, graduate of the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy, numerous certifications in all areas of law enforcement and courtroom training. 

Work experience: I have 37 years experience in the court system. I am very familiar with the laws of the state of Mississippi. I am retired from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety after 32 years of service.  During those 32 years, I served as a state trooper, narcotic agent, cold case investigator, and state criminal investigator. I have been employed by the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department since 2015, where I work as a courtroom deputy. 

Why are you running: I am seeking this office because I have a true desire to serve the citizens of Lauderdale County.

Why are you a good candidate? I will work to ensure justice for all our citizens of Lauderdale County if elected to this office. I have the knowledge and ability to serve as Justice Court Judge for District 4. I have many years of experience working in and with all levels of the court system.  I am retired from the Army National Guard.  I will be an honest and fair judge if elected.

CONSTABLE DISTRICT 2

Ondray M. Harris Jr.

Residence: Meridian.

Party affiliation: Democratic.

Position sought: Constable District 2

Education: AA drafting & design technology/AA applied science.

Work experience: Over 11 years of advocating for the youth of Sigma Beta club; vice president of The Council of Organization; president of the Local chapter of Phi Beta Sigma;  Structural Steel Detailing, Inc., 16 years; Lauderdale County Detention Facility, 3 years;.

Public offices held: District 2 Constable, 1½ years.; 

Why are you running: After 25 years of observing my father, Ondray Harris Sr., serve relentlessly as Constable for District 2 it has inspired me to carry the torch and serve the citizens of this district.

Why are you a good candidate: I’m dedicated to sustaining the quality of District 2 with integrity, honesty, commitment and professionalism. My heart’s desire is to serve the people of District 2, the city and county by helping bridge the gap between the citizens and law enforcement officers. My passion is to see positive change in District 2 with hard work, dedication, community support, and prayer. I believe change will come.

Contact: email ohar42@comcast.net or phone 601-527-0021.