There are surprises on the list of MS Coast candidates for supervisor and sheriff
South Mississippi will see new supervisors, new sheriffs and other new elected officials in the three Coast counties this year, but it’s going to be a long campaign.
The deadline to file to run for county office was Jan. 31. The primary election isn’t until Aug. 8 and the general election is Nov. 7, according to the Secretary of State’s election website.
Most of the current supervisors in Harrison, Hancock and Jackson counties are running for another term, but there are notable exceptions.
▪ For the first time since she was elected in 1999, Connie Rockco won’t be in the race for Harrison County supervisor in District 5.
Three candidates are looking to fill the seat:
- Nathan Barrett, a Biloxi councilman and business owner
- Alan Chouest, an instructor and chaplain at Keesler Air Force Base
- Howard Walkinshaw, a businessman who served as a Gulfport police officer for seven years
Since all three are Republicans, the winner to represent District 5 will be determined in the primary election.
▪ In Hancock County, District 3 Supervisor Kodie Koenenn qualified to run for chancery clerk instead of seeking a second term as supervisor after Tim Kellar decided not to run.
Koennen faces strong opposition from Republicans Jordan Bradford, JC Brignone and Tiffany Lee Cowman, plus Democrat Henry Ward.
Running for Koennen’s position as supervisor are Republicans Shea Ladner and Charles Clark.
▪ New sheriffs will be elected in Jackson County, where Mike Ezell was elected to the U.S. Congress, and in Harrison County, where Sheriff Troy Peterson is retiring.
Hancock County Sheriff Ricky Adam, a Republican, is seeking another term and faces three Republican candidates in the primary. Running against him are Johnny Raffeo Jr., Channing Reynolds and Nathan “Corky” Hoda.
Running for sheriff in Harrison County are Republicans Louis Elias and Matt Haley.
Four Republicans are in the Jackson County race for sheriff: John Ledbetter, Robbie O’Bryant, Robert Blocker and Louie Miller.
Harrison County
These are the candidates for the other races in Harrison County:
Supervisor
District 1 — Incumbent Beverly Martin and Dan Cuevas, both Republicans
District 2 — Incumbent Rebecca Powers and John Hoggatt, both Republicans
District 3 — Incumbent Marlin Ladner
District 4 — Incumbent Kent Jones, Chris Fisher, John Johnson, all Democrats
Chancery Clerk — Angela Thrash
Circuit Clerk — Melvin Ray, Independent, Justin Wetzel, Republican
Tax Collector — Sharon Nash Barnett
Tax Assessor — Paula Ladner
County Attorney — Herman Cox
Coroner — Brian Switzer
Justice Court Judge:
District 1 — Albert Fountain and Rena Wiggins, both Republicans
District 2 — Brandon Ladner
District 3 — Dianne Ladner and Jason Edmonds, both Republicans
District 4 — Damon Reese and Theressia A. Lyons, both Democrats. John “Jake” Cook and James Griffin, both Independents
District 5 — Nick Patano
Constable:
District 1 — James Morgan
District 2 — Angel Kibler-Middleton
District 3 — Alan Weatherford
District 4 — Sammie Taylor
District 5 — Jeff Migues and Bruce Roberts, both Republicans
Hancock County
Other candidates running in Hancock County are:
Supervisor
District 1 — Incumbent Theresa Ryan, Donald Graham and Christopher “Packer” Ladner, all Republicans, and Cody Shiyou, Democrat
District 2 — Incumbent Greg Shaw, Chris Smith and Byron Ladner, all Republicans, Timothy Stinson Jr., Libertarian
Disctrict 4 — Incumbent Scotty Adam and Louis Necaise Jr., both Republicans
District 5 — Darrin “Bo” Ladner
Circuit Clerk — Kendra “KK” Ladner Necaise
Tax Assessor/Collector — Jimmie Ladner Jr.
Coroner — Jeff Hair
Constable
Place 1 — Terry Necaise and Danny “Boy” Hoda, both Republicans
Place 2 — Carl Berry III, John Ladner, Christopher Dunn Sholar, Colin Freeman, all Republicans
Place 3 — Guy “Tater” Graham, David Perks, Paul Taylor, all Republicans
Justice Court
Judge 1 — Desmond Hoda
Judge 2 — William “Bill” Covington and Brian Necaise, both Republicans
Judge 3 — Eric Moran Sr., Republican, and Lynn Smith, Libertarian
Jackson County
Other candidates in Jackson County are:
Supervisor
District 1 — Incumbent Barry Cumbest
District 2 — Incumbent Ennit Morris, Mitch Ellerby, Felix “FeFe” Fornett, all Democrats
District 3 —Incumbent Ken Taylor
District 4 — Incumbent Troy Ross
District 5 — Incumbent Randy Bosarge, David Gollott and Glenn Lumpkin, all Republicans
Circuit Clerk — Randy Carney,
Chancery Clerk — Josh Eldridge,
Tax Assessor — Nick Elmore
Tax Collector — Kevin Miller
Coroner — Bruce Lynd, Jr.
County Prosecuting Attorney — James “Lee” Farragut
Justice Court Judge
District 1 — Matt Lachaussee
District 2 — Terrence Packer
District 3 — Jason Thornton and Matt Hoggatt, both Republicans
District 4 — Daniel “Danny” Guice, III
Constable
District 1 —Ty Thompson
District 2 — Calvin Hutchins
District 3 — Shane Langfitt and Kyle Cummings, both Republicans
District 4 — Kerry Fountain
