Several races to be decided in runoff

Three supervisor races, District 1, District 3, and District 4 are headed to runoffs following Tuesday's party primaries, complete but unofficial results show.

Absentee ballots were tallied last Tuesday night, and affidavit ballots were counted last Wednesday morning.

Turnout was slightly lower than what it was in November 2019, with 6,524 total votes — 940 Democrat and 5,584 Republican.

Republicans Mike Snow and Shelby Beason are apparently headed into a runoff in the District 1 Supervisor race. Mike Snow received 280 votes to Beason’s 166 votes.

“You never know about a race, I ran against three other men that are good, reputable people. I think it went well. No matter the outcome, I enjoyed doing it. My opponent, Shelby Beason, I know him well. He’s a good man and would make a good supervisor, but I know I would also,” said Snow. “I want to see the five supervisors that are elected work together and try to make every inch of Neshoba County the best it can be.”

Beason’s thoughts on the runoff were, “On election night I was six votes behind, then on account of the absentee and affidavit votes, I pulled one ahead, but I’m getting a good response from people I’ve talked to since then. Hopefully, I can pull it out.”

He added, “I want to thank all the people that voted for me. It proves that last week every single vote counts. I’ve been encouraging people to please come out and vote again and support me if their candidate didn’t make the runoff. I’d love to talk to them.”

Bobby Joe Lovern received 165 votes, while Ralph Nowell received 16.

Incumbent Republican Kevin Cumberland won the District 2 Supervisor Republican nomination with 53.58 percent of the vote, besting Devon Marshall, Tony Myers, Susan Shoffner and Brian Whittle. Cumberland finished with 868 votes to Marshall’s 262 votes and Myers’ 260 votes. 

Whittle received 193 votes, while Shoffner received 37.

Cumberland will face Independent challenger John Stokes in November.

Incumbent Republican Kinsey Smith and Republican Christopher Gardner will head into a runoff in the District 3 Supervisor race. Smith received 610 votes to Gardner’s 588 votes.

Jon Eubanks received 348 votes, while Ryan Rowell received 31.

The winner will face Independent challenger Colby Pope in November.

Incumbent Republican Kevin Wilcher and Republican Gordon Adkins will head into a runoff in the District 4 Supervisor race. Wilcher received 532 votes to Adkins’ 486 votes. Marty Sistrunk received 242 votes.

Incumbent Democrat Obbie Riley will face Republican David Carter and Independent Deric Horne in November.

Riley beat Cynthia M. Grantham 333 votes to 256. Carter ran unopposed in the Republican primary. 

Republican John Lilley had 1,401 votes to Republican Patrick Burt’s 1,195 and will face off in a runoff for the Constable Place 1 position. Richard Cooney finished with 537 votes and Terry Todd received 366 votes. 

The winner will face Independent challenger Cortez Peebles in November. 

Steve Cumberland won the Justice Court Judge Place 1 Republican Primary by 59.74 percent, beating Incumbent Paul Payne 2,090 votes to 1,408. He faces no Democratic opposition in November.

Incumbent Eric Clark won the Republican nomination for Sheriff beating Jessie Hamilton 4,601 votes to 978. With the victory, Clark advances to the general election, where he will face Tuesday’s Democrat winner Danny Carter.

Gidget Tate won the Republican Nomination for Chancery Clerk, beating Brad Stuart

3,557 votes to 1,985. She faces no Democratic opposition in November.

Republicans Delana Waddell and Grant Myers will head into a runoff in the Circuit Clerk's race. Waddell received 1,806 votes and Myers received 1,548 votes. 

Morrow received 1,485, while Heather Kennedy received 715 votes.

Myron Williams won the Republican nomination for Coroner/Medical Examiner with 2,892 votes to Tim Watkins’ 2,601votes. He faces no Democrat opposition in November.