Senate District 38 candidates Kelvin Butler and Tammy Witherspoon met for a debate Saturday at the Pike County Fairgrounds, making their pitch to Democratic voters.
They’ll face each other in the party primaries in August, which will determine the winner since there are no Republican or independent candidates.
The debate was part of a Pike County Democratic Party rally and fish fry.
The seat covers parts of Adams, Amite, Pike, Walthall and Wilkinson counties.
Butler, who held the seat from 2004-2015, said he is determined to serve the district.
“I’m a servant. I’m here to serve. I have a proven record of service,” he said.
Butler was a Magnolia alderman before being elected to the Senate. he left the chamber in 2015, when he ran unsuccessfully for Pike County Chancery Clerk. He has served as McComb city administrator since then and recently announced that he’ll be leaving that position after the party primaries in August.
Butler said service as a state senator is about helping members of his community and not about personal gain or prestige.
“I want to help you; that’s what it’s all about,” he said. “I’m going to help you if I can help you, and I’m going to tell you if I can’t.”
Butler stressed the importance of selecting a candidate with experience and he believes he is the candidate that best fulfills that expectation.
Witherspooon cited her career in community service as a reason to support her re-election effort.
Before being elected to the senate in 2015, Witherspoon represented Ward 3 on McComb’s city board. She is married to Magnolia Mayor Anthony Witherspoon and they also operate a daycare.
She noted her experience in the senate and on the city board.
“I have been fighting for fair wages. I have been fighting for access to education,” she said.
Witherspoon stressed the importance in changing the status quo throughout the Republican-controlled state legislature.
“We don’t need more seniority in Jackson. We need somebody who’s got the fire in Jackson,” she said. “I’ve got the fire.”
