Bruce Mullins will get to run for Ward 5 Selectman in McComb after a judge ruled Monday that he had been incorrectly removed from the Democratic primary ballot over a dispute regarding his residency.
Mullins, the lone opponent to incumbent Selectman Ronnie Brock, also a Democrat, challenged the McComb Democratic Executive Committee’s decision last month to refuse to certify his candidacy.
Committee chair Amanda Upchurch said Mullins hadn’t met a two-year residency requirement to live in Ward 5.
Mullins house had been in Ward 2 until the city board redrew ward lines as part of the once-every-decade redistricting process that put him in Ward 5.
Mullins, however, said he has lived in his house on Howe Street for 15 years and presented proof of homestead exemption dating back to 2007 and voter registration dating back to 2010. He said his continuous residency should allow him to qualify for the office.
Judge James Bell agreed, comparing Mullins’ situation to that of someone whose house has been annexed, and they should have the same right to run for office as they do to vote for office.
“Part of their right to vote, part of that franchise, is the right to run for office, if you’re otherwise qualified,” said Bell, a Hinds County judge whom the Mississippi Supreme Court appointed to hear the case.
In addition to Mullins and Upchurch, McComb City Clerk Elisha Ford and Pike County Tax Assessor Laurie Allen also testified.
McComb Mayor Quordiniah Lockley was in attendance for most of the morning of the one-day hearing and Brock and Ward 3 Selectman Devante Johnson were there throughout the proceeding.
In addition to Mullins, the committee also did not certify Ward 3 candidate A.C. Butler over a disputed residency issue as well.
Butler had also filed a challenge against the committee, but Bell said he was no longer pursuing that.
Senica Tubwell represented the McComb Democratic Executive Committee. Wayne Dowdy and Sam Begley represented Mullins.
