Biloxi election committee approves candidate for city council despite residency claim
Despite an opponent’s dispute, Biloxi’s Democratic executive committee on Tuesday unanimously certified Anthony Marshall to be on the ballot for city council in Ward 2.
The committee met Tuesday at City Hall to certify candidates who filed to run in the April 1 municipal primary election.
The Committee to Elect Felix O. Gines filed papers Monday afternoon with the city clerk saying Marshall hasn’t lived in Ward 2 long enough to qualify. The committee also asked for an attorney general’s opinion as to Marshall’s eligibility.
The documents said Marshall, a Democrat and one of four candidates for council in Ward 2, doesn’t meet the requirement that that a person lives in the ward for at least two years before seeking office.
Marshall, the owner of a funeral home in east Biloxi, registered as a candidate under the home address of 282 Main St. in Biloxi.
The paperwork filed claims the residence has been vacant for more than two years, according to neighbors and businesses in the area. The Main Street home was renovated from October through December and re-occupied in January, the document claims. Harrison County tax rolls show the taxes were two years behind and were last paid July 12, 2024.
Marshall responded through his attorney, Malcolm Jones, said residency is determined by intent and not necessary physical presence. Marshall votes in Ward 2 and gets his mail at the Main Street address, Jones said, while he owns a second home in Jackson County.
In a lot of people’s minds you have to be there every single day, “And that’s not the law.” Jones said. “The law is, and it talks about this is domicile and residency are some synonymous and a lot of it has to do with intent. Where do you intend to call your residency?”
The information and documentation he received from Marshall are his residency for purposes of his intent and his actual living arrangements are in ward 2, Jones said, and he has been there for quite a long time.
Also running for the council seat currently held by Gines, a registered Republican, are Tracey D. Smith, a Democrat, and Sonya C. White, an Independent.
“This issue is concerning for the citizens of Biloxi and not fair to the residents of the community of Ward 2,” the document said
This story was originally published February 10, 2025 at 1:44 PM.
