By Billy Davis

Past candidate Richard Hubbard has qualified to run for District 4 county supervisor, marking the third entry in that race.

Hubbard, a 2007 candidate for the seat, qualified for the August 2 Democratic Primary. He ran as an independent four years ago, losing to Democrat Kelly Morris in the General Election.

Morris, who has also qualified, is serving his first term in the District 4 seat, the most notorious in Panola County for ousting incumbents.

Jarrell Mills had already qualified to seek the seat when The Panolian published the first list of qualifiers January 7.

Mills also ran in 2007 and finished third in a six-person field.

As The Panolian went to press Thursday, District 3 Supervisor Gary Thompson was the only other incumbent supervisor to draw an opponent. The Panolian has reported that Donnie Shaw, who ran unsuccessfully in 2007, is also seeking the District 3 seat.

Both Thompson and Shaw qualified for the Democratic Primary.

Incumbent supervisors James Birge and Bubba Waldrup have also qualified to seek re-election, both as Democrats.  

District 2 Supervisor Vernice Avant has picked up qualifying papers but has not handed them in, said Circuit Clerk Joe Reid.

Reid, a longtime incumbent, has not declared if he is seeking re-election. The race for circuit clerk has drawn two candidates so far, Craig Sheley and, most recently, Karen Waldo Brown.

Sheley qualified as a Democrat. Brown qualified as a Republican.

The Panola County sheriff’s race has drawn Batesville Police Captain Jimmy McCloud.

Incumbent Sheriff Otis Griffin had not turned in qualifying papers by Thursday.

Other county incumbents who have qualified, so far without opposition, are: County Attorney C. Gaines Baker, Chancery Clerk Jim Pitcock, Tax Collector/Assessor David Garner, Constable Raye Hawkins, Coroner Gracie Grant-Gulledge, and Justice Court judges Bill Joiner and Mike Wilson.