By Billy Davis

A candidate for the House District 11 seat has been disqualified to seek office because he does not live in the district, Circuit Clerk Melissa Meek-Phelps said Monday.

Phelps said Michael Cathey, a Tate County resident, was ruled ineligible in a meeting of officials from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office.

Cathey, an alderman in Senatobia, ran unsuccessfully for District 10 state senate seat two years ago.

Phelps said she was told of the decision last Friday by a spokesman for the Secretary of State.
The loss of Cathey on the ballot means it will include four names: Marshall Bartlett, Anderson Booth, Ederic Kerney and Lataisha Jackson.

The special election is set for Tuesday, March 26 to fill the seat left vacant by the death of state Rep. Joe Gardner.

District 11 includes much of western and northern Panola County, and a portion of Tate County.