By John and Rupert Howell
Unofficial returns in Tuesday’s Panola County Democratic Primary Election gave Circuit Clerk Melissa Meek-Phelps a second term as she easily beat back a challenge from Letessa Salters during Tuesday’s balloting, 5,347 votes to 1,835.

With no Republican or independent challengers, Meek-Phelps is re-elected for her second term.
The ballot counting was completed about midnight Tuesday night at the Panola County Courthouse in Batesville. The unofficial returns do not include a number of affidavit ballots not significant enough to change any outcomes.

Senate, District 11
Incumbent Senator Robert L.  Jackson won re-election in Senate District 11. In the 12 Panola County precincts included in his district, he polled 1,933 votes. Challenger Clara Dawkins-Davis received 588 votes and challenger “Jimmy S. Edwards Jr. received 618 votes.

Representative, District 11
Another seat secured in the Democratic Primary balloting is the race for Mississippi House District 11 where Lataisha Jackson was re-elected to 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

Panola Sheriff
Mark Whitten easily won the Democratic nomination for Panola County Sheriff, outpolling Roger Vanlandingham 4,160 to 1,749. Whitten will face incumbent Sheriff Dennis Darby and former Sheriff Otis Griffin in the November 3 General Election, both running as independent candidates.

District Two Judge’s Race
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 independent candidates Chuck Tucker and James Weaver in the November General Election.

District Two Constable
Incumbent Second Court District Constable Raye Hawkins outpolled challenger Albert Perkins, 2,864 Votes to 2,491 to become the Democrat’s nominee. He will face and independent challenger Earl Burdette in November.

Supervisor, District One
Incumbent Supervisor James Birge faced no fellow Democratics as opponents. In the November election, he will be challenged by independents David W. Arnold and Nicholas Hardy.

Supervisor, District Two
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.

In November, Avant will face independents Tim Holliday and Keith Mothershed.
Supervisor, District Three

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 independent John McCollum and Republican nominee Ken Williams in November.

Supervisor, District Four
Incumbent District Four Supervisor Kelly Morris and Donald Phelps led the field of four Democratic primary candidates to earn a berth 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, Joe Horton, Mike Moore and Whit Tidwell, in November. He will also face Republican nominee John O. Greene.

Supervisor, District Five
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 independent Ted Stewart.

No Runoff in November
Unlike the party primaries, the November General Election is a winner-take-all contest. The candidate who gets the most votes wins without a runoff.

Other Races
All incumbent Republican statewide office holders carried their ticket in Panola County including: Governor Phil Bryant, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, Sec. of State Delbert Hoseman, State Auditor Stacey E. Pickering, Treasurer Lynn Fitch, and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney.

Republican Attorney General Candidate Mike Hurst will face Democratic incumbent Jim Hood in November.