(The following story is based on machine counted ballots and does not include approximately 500 absentee or affidavit ballots which could possibly change some outcomes.)   

Incumbent Panola County Circuit Clerk Melissa Meek-Phelps easily beat back a challenge from Letessa Salters during Tuesday’s Democratic First Primary balloting, 5,347 to 1,835.

With no Republican or independent challengers, Meek-Phelps is re-elected for her second term.
The ballot counting completed about 11:15 Tuesday night at the Panola County Courthouse in Batesville does not include absentee ballots.

Another seat secured in the Democratic Primary balloting is the race for Mississippi House District 11 where Lataisha Jackson was re-elected for her first full term as Representative. Jackson outpolled challenger Michael Cathey 2,589 to 968 in Panola precincts. In the three Tate county precincts included in House District 11, Jackson won 250 votes to Cathey’s 226

Mark Whitten easily won the Democratic nomination for Panola County Sheriff, outpolling Roger Vanlandingham 4,140 to 1,749. Whitten will face incumbent Sheriff Dennis Darby and former Sheriff Otis Griffin in the November 3 General Election.

Charlie Baglan and Mike Wilkie won runoff spots for the Democratic Party Runoff Election Tuesday, August 25. Baglan and Wilkie led a field of seven Democrats vying for the Second District Justice Court Judge post from which Judge Willie E. Joiner is retiring. Totals were Baglan, 1,505; Ernie Capwell, 772; Jason Chrestman, 576; Donnie Shaw, 549; Paul Shivers, 657; Terry “Chaser” Smith, 203 and Wilkie, 1,204.

The winner of the Baglan-Wilkie runoff will face two independent candidates in the November General Election.

Incumbent Second Court District Constable Raye Hawkins outpolled challenger Albert Perkins, 2,864 Votes to 2,491 and faces an independent challenger in November.

Incumbent Supervisor James Birge faced no follow Democratic opponents. Two independent candidates are challenging him for the post in the November election.

Incumbent District Two Supervisor Vernice Avant led two Democratic challengers in Tuesday’s balloting to win the Democratic nomination. Avant polled 626 votes to William Pride’s 472 votes and Roger L. Salter’s 122 votes. She faces two independent challengers in November.

John Thomas, seeking his second term as District Three Supervisor, won the Democratic nomination against challenger Boyce “Crow” Crowell, 1,015 to 882 Votes. Thomas  faces an independent challenger and the Republican nominee in November.

Incumbent District Four Supervisor Kelly Morris and Donald Phelps led the field of four Democratic primary candidates to earn berths in the runoff. Phelps attracted 673 votes to Morris’ 493. Keith A. Moore won 225 votes and Jerry G. Perkins, 314.  The winner of the August 25 runoff will face three independents and the Republican nominee in November.

District Five Supervisor Cole Flint defeated challenger Deliley Gatson in his bid for re-election to a second term, 1,128 votes to 315. He will face another challenge in November against an independent candidate.