District 2 county School Board goes to runoff

Mary Ann Nicholson will face off against Jermaine Simmons in a runoff election for the Neshoba County School Board District 2 seat in three weeks after besting a field of four in Tuesday’s general election.

Nicholson received 47 percent of the votes Tuesday with 482 votes to Simmons’ 209 votes (20 percent). These are unofficial totals and may not include all affidavit and absentee ballots. Matthew R. Marshall finished in third with 188 votes (18 percent) and Amanda L. Carter finished in last place with 142 votes (14 percent).

The seat is currently held by Davis Fulton, who did not seek re-election.

Since neither candidate received 50 percent-plus one vote a runoff will be held.

This was the only local contested race on Tuesday’s ballot as Rhonda M. Holley ran unopposed for the District 1 seat. Michelle Phillips currently holds the seat but also did not seek re-election.

U.S. Rep. Michael Guest, Republican, of Mississippi’s 3rd Congressional District cruises to another term in D.C. with a decisive victory over Democratic opponent Shuwaski Young. With 93 percent of precincts reporting, Guest has over 70 percent of the votes cast.