By Billy Davis

A run-off election for circuit clerk, and a primary battle for governor, are among the races that will appear on the ballot next Tuesday.

Both races are  on the Democratic Primary ballot and Panola voters in Districts 1, 2 and 3 will also see run-off elections for supervisor.

One note about voting in the primaries: only those who voted Democrat in the August 2 primary, or those who did not vote at all, can vote in the Democratic Primary. Likewise for the Republican runoff.

On the Republican ballot, there is only one runoff election — state treasurer.

The governor’s race is the only state-wide race on the Democratic ballot. Hattiesburg mayor Johnny DuPree is facing Clarksdale attorney Bill Luckett for the nomination.

The race for Panola circuit clerk is the only county-wide race. Melissa Meek-Phelps and Craig Sheley are competing for the Democratic nomination.

Phelps finished first in the August 2 primary with a 1,592-vote lead over Sheley, with Willie Odom finishing third.

In the supervisor races:

•   District 1 Supervisor James Birge is facing former supervisor Jessie Lyons. Birge finished first in the primary with a 203-vote win over Lyons.

David Arnold, who finished third in the race, is publicly backing Lyons in the runoff.   

•   District 2 Supervisor Vernice Avant is facing Batesville businessman William Pride in a run-off election.  

Third-place challenger Tim Holliday, who won 229 votes August 2, is publicly backing Pride in the runoff.

•   District 3 Supervisor Gary Thompson is facing a challenge from first-time candidate John Thomas.

Thomas led the incumbent and two other candidates August 2 with a 97-vote total, the narrowest lead among county elections three weeks ago.

For voting information call the Panola County Circuit Clerk’s office at 563-6210 or 487-2073