Few Pike County officials escaped Wednesday’s deadline for candidates to qualify to run for office without picking up opposition in this year’s elections, with a number of significant resignations and retirements clearing the way for a highly competitive campaign season.
In the race for sheriff, current Chief Deputy Brad Bellipanni, Coroner Wally Jones and sheriff’s investigator Robbie Roberts are running for the Republican nomination.
Party primaries will be held on Aug. 8.
Former Magnolia Police Chief Ray Reynolds was the lone Democrat to file qualifying papers, giving him an easy path to face off with the GOP nominee in the general election on Nov. 7.
The winner will replace Republican James Brumfield, who is resigning after serving one term.
In the circuit clerk’s race, deputy clerk Brenda “Denise” Robinson will face Johnny Scott, a former sheriff’s chief deputy who has run for circuit clerk in the past, in the Democratic primary. The nominee will run against Republican Natalie McMahon in the general election.
The winner will replace nine-term Circuit Clerk Roger Graves, a Republican.
The race for tax collector has drawn a crowded field with the announced retirement of Democrat Gwendolyn Nunnery.
Former McComb Selectman Michael Cameron, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor last year, is running as a Republican and will face Cathy Hodge for the nomination. Sherry Ellzey and Angela Gardner Washington are seeking the Democratic nomination.
With Jones running for sheriff, the corner’s race has drawn four candidates — Republicans Chan Thomas and Anthony “Tony” Varaksa, and Democrats Keyon Daniels and David Rashad Taylor.
Thomas is a deputy corner and firefighter, Varaksa is a McComb police officer, Daniels works for Craft-Dillon Funeral Home and is a transport deputy for the coroner’s office, and Taylor works with Cook’s Enterprise Funeral Home and ran for the position four years ago.
Three of the county’s five supervisors will face opponents.
District 1 incumbent Tazwell Bowsky faces a primary challenge from fellow Democrats Devante Johnson, a former McComb selectman, and Justin Lofton, a local political consultant.
District 3 Supervisor Robert Accardo is being challenged by fellow Republican Dwain Brister, who also ran for the position four years ago.
District 5 Supervisor Lee Fortenberry, a Republican who is current board president, faces a challenge from a perennial candidate for the office, Eddie Simmons Jr., a Democrat.
District 2 Supervisor Sam Hall and District 4 Supervisor Jake Gazzo are unopposed.
Southern District Justice Court Judge Aubrey Rimes, a Republican, will face a challenge from Clayton Guy, whose qualifying papers didn’t list a party affiliation.
North District Constable Denny Johnson, a Republican, is being challenged by independent candidate Bena Collins, who is a sheriff’s deputy.
Unopposed are Chancery Clerk Becky Buie, Tax Assessor Laurie Allen, County Prosecutor Ben Gilbert, Central District Justice Court Judge Loretta Thompson Conerly, Northern District Justice Court Judge Fulton Brewer, Southern District constable Oliver James and Central District constable Mark Thompson.
