By Billy Davis
The current political race for a circuit judge seat includes a new candidate, Assistant District Attorney Rhonda Amis.  

Amis, 38, confirmed last week that she is seeking the seat of retiring judge Andrew C. Baker. She has yet to qualify to run.

When Amis qualifies, the contest will number four attorneys who are seeking Baker’s seat. Smith Murphey and Adam Pittman, both of Batesville, and William Sanders of Charleston have already qualified.

Baker, 73, announced his retirement in February, setting up a political contest for the public seat in Mississippi’s 17th Circuit Court District.

Voters in four counties – Tate, Panola, Tallahatchie and Yalobusha – are eligible to cast a ballot to choose Baker’s replacement. Election Day falls on November 2.

The ballot will include other judicial contests, including a second circuit court race for a new, unfilled seat in the 17th District.

Charleston attorney Jeff Padgett was the newest candidate to qualify, when he turned in papers in early April.

Padgett joined attorneys Robert “Stan” Little and Gerald Chatham Sr. on the ballot.

In other judge’s races:

•Circuit Court Judge Jimmy McClure has qualified to seek re-election.

•Incumbent chancery judges Mitchell M. Lundy and Vicki B. Cobb have qualified to seek re-election.

The deadline to qualify for the non-partisan judicial elections is May 7.

The November ballot will also include the Panola sheriff’s race and a congressional race for Mississippi’s 1st District.