Despite the storms that threatened and pounded the area Tuesday, voters still came out to the polls to cast their ballots in the runoff elections.
Michelle Easterling and Trina Davidson Brooks faced each other in the runoff in the Place 3 circuit judge race. Easterling, the Clay County prosecutor, claimed victory over Brooks, an assistant district attorney.
Easterling received 8,239 votes (53.57 percent), and Brooks received 7,140 votes (46.43 percent). Easterling extended her thanks to those who came out to vote and those who supported her along the way.
“This has been a 12-month long endeavor, and I’m just so grateful and thankful for the people who have worked so hard to help get me here — people from all across this district, including my family and friends. I’ve just had incredible amounts of support from so many groups of people.”
Easterling also commended Brooks for her work during the race, including the three weeks leading up to runoffs.
“We’ve known each other now for seven or eight years, and I just think she ran a very good race,” Easterling said. “She ran a very good race. It was pleasant and professional. We all worked really hard in getting people out to vote — especially with the weather.”
There are less than 100 affidavits left to be counted across Clay, Lowndes. Noxubee and Oktibbeha counties. This is not enough to change the outcome of the election.
Davidson Brooks was not immediately available for comment.
Oktibbeha County Court Judge
With 2,900 votes (65.73 percent), Lee Ann Self Turner was voted the first Oktibbeha County Court Judge. She beat Charles Bruce Brown, who received 1,496 votes (33.91 percent).
The county court, which will hear all youth cases and operate as an intermediate court between municipal/justice and circuit courts, was established based on Oktibbeha County’s population reaching 50,000 in the 2020 census.
Turner practiced law for 26 years and served as youth court referee for 14 years. She said she is excited for the opportunity to serve families in new ways as the court will hear all youth cases in the county.
“To me this means the opportunity to get the court established in a way that we can really help our families and our children that are in the youth court system,” Turner said. “We’re going to figure out a way that we can relieve the pressure and burdens on the courts above us and below us in a way that helps the system work the way it’s supposed to.”
Brown extended his congratulations to Turner and thanks to his supporters in a text message to The Dispatch.
“I congratulate my opponent,” Brown said. “I would like to thank my family and friends who supported me in this campaign.”
Lifestyles Editor Robert Scott contributed to this report.
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