Chief Deputy Greg Wright and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Agent Eddie Hawkins are headed to a runoff in the Lowndes County sheriff’s Republican primary.
Wright earned 3,616 votes (43.4 percent), to place first in the three-candidate field after machine and absentee ballots were counted Tuesday night. Hawkins trailed with 2,755 votes (33.07 percent), but since neither earned 50 percent, they both move on to a runoff Aug. 27.
Rick Jones, the former Lowndes County Adult Detention Center Administrator who now works for Columbus Police Department, tallied 1,950 (23.4 percent) to place third in the primary.
“We’ve got roughly three more weeks so we will regroup and go back to it,” Wright told The Dispatch. “I’m going to get out as much as I possibly can. I really am humbled by the numbers I pulled tonight and the confidence the people put in me and I hope that we will bleed into the runoff. We’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing.”
Hawkins said he was humbled by the public’s trust in him.
“I’m very appreciative of everything that everyone’s done and the support I’ve gotten,” Hawkins said. “I’m very humbled. I’d like to ask the voters to come back and help me in the run-off. I’m going to need all the support and backing on the run-off date. I’m just going to get out and pound the pavement again, talk to the voters and share my message.”
Either Wright or Hawkins will face independent Anthony Nelson in November’s general election.
Other county races
In the Republican chancery clerk’s primary, Cindy Egger Goode won by a hefty majority with 5,545 votes (66.56 percent), while Jessica Lancaster Pierce carried 2,659 votes (31.92 percent). The third Republican candidate, Andre Roberts, had 126 votes, less than 2 percent.
Goode, now a deputy chancery clerk, will face Columbus Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Mickens — who was running unopposed in the Democratic primary — in the general election.
“We’re thankful and grateful for the citizens of Lowndes County,” Goode said. “I’m looking forward to November. I’m excited. It’s just pure excitement and I’m just ready for November.”
Pierce also said she was thankful for the voters and for her first run for a public office.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to run for chancery clerk,” Pierce told The Dispatch. “Thank you so much to my family and friends that invested in me as well as my campaign. Congratulations to my opponents. I look forward to continuing serving in our community so this won’t be the last you see of me.”
For county prosecutor, Steve Wallace took the Republican primary with 4,511 votes (54.69 percent) while opponent Corky Smith had 3,734 votes (45.27 percent).
“I want to thank the voters of Lowndes County for the confidence they have in me,” Wallace said. “I want to thank Mr. Smith for being a good opponent. I’m looking forward to November. I just want to thank everybody for their vote and support. They’ve been very, very kind to me.”
Smith could not be reached for comment by press time today.
Wallace will face Democrat William Starks in November’s election.
The county’s District 2 supervisor Republican winner is Nicholas “Trip” Hairston with 1,639 votes (81.3 percent). Republican Clarence Ray Berry had 376 votes (18.65 percent). Hairston will face Democrat Oliver Miller for the District 2 Supervisor seat.
In the race for District 2 justice court judge, Republican incumbent Chris Hemphill will remain. Hemphill carried the majority with 2,558 votes (62.73 percent), while opponent Ben Kilgore had 1,519 votes, just less than 40 percent.
For the Republican race for constable for District 1, Chris Griffin carried the majority with 3,013 votes (75.38 percent). Randy Robles tallied 949 votes (23.74 percent).
Griffin will face Democrat Jason “Jake” Humbers in November.
The circuit court’s office confirmed there were 78 affidavits left to be processed today.
Statewide races
In the Republican primary for governor Tate Reeves carried Lowndes County with 60.54 percent, compared to Bill Waller Jr.’s 26.76 percent and Robert Foster’s 12.55. Jim Hood easily carried Lowndes in the Democratic side with 73.74 percent among a field of eight contenders.
Delbert Hosemann won 86.7 percent of the vote to carry the county in the Republican lieutenant governor primary,
Other Republicans to carry the county included Michael Watson in the secretary of state’s race, Lynn Fitch in the attorney general’s race, David McRae for state treasurer and John Caldwell for Northern District transportation commissioner.
On the Democratic side, Johnny Dupree carried the county for secretary of state.
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