A special, non-partisan election to fill former U.S. Rep. Alan Nunnelee’s 1st Congressional District seat will be held May 12, Gov. Phil Bryant announced Tuesday.
Nunnelee, 56, died Feb. 6 of an inoperable brain tumor.
Candidates face a March 27 qualification deadline. A runoff will be held June 2 if necessary.
A secretary of state’s office spokesperson said no candidates had officially qualified for the race as of 4 p.m. Tuesday. The Dispatch will report on candidates when they formally qualify.
The Clarion-Ledger previously reported numerous high-profile individuals, including Corinth Mayor Tommy Irwin, appellate Judge Jimmy Maxwell, state Rep. Brad Mayo, R-Oxford, former U.S. House candidate and Tupelo Mayor Glenn McCullough, state Sen. David Parker, R-Olive Branch, Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley, Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton and state Sen. Gray Tollison, R-Oxford, have all said they will not seek the office.
Lowndes and Clay counties both fall within the 1st Congressional District. Parts of Oktibbeha County do as well.
Local and statewide election candidates up for election this year have until 5 p.m. Friday to qualify.
Party primaries are scheduled for Aug. 4. November’s general election will occur on the month’s third day.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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