Lisa Wynn is the first candidate to qualify for Nov. 7’s special election for District 38’s vacant Mississippi House of Representatives seat. The former Ward 2 alderman filed her qualification forms Friday with the secretary of state’s office in Jackson.
On Wednesday, Gov. Phil Bryant tacked on the special election to the ballots in Clay, Lowndes and Oktibbeha counties after former Rep. Tyrone Ellis, D-Starkville, stepped away from the position at the beginning of the month.
The qualification deadline is Sept. 18, and a runoff election will be held Nov. 28 if no candidate receives a majority of the Nov. 7 vote.
Ellis, who turns 71 this month, has represented portions of the three Golden Triangle counties and Noxubee County since 1980 and was the first state representative to serve as House majority leader.
After redistricting, Noxubee County was removed from District 38.
The winner of November’s special election will complete Ellis’ term, which expires in 2020.
Speculation over Wynn’s bid for Ellis’ seat began last year, when the then-alderman said she would not attempt a run for Starkville’s opening mayoral seat so she could possibly in the future run for a higher office.
Wynn first sought political office as a Democrat in 2011’s countywide race when she unsuccessfully ran for tax assessor.
In 2013, she denied Ward 2 Alderman Sandra Sistrunk a second term following a tied primary and a runoff that went in Wynn’s favor. Wynn would shed her party affiliation for this year’s municipal election cycle and lose to Sistrunk in June.
Shortly after the election, Wynn announced she was taking a lobbying position with the Octagon Group. On Friday, Wynn announced she tendered her resignation “so there will be no possible conflict of interest as” she runs for office and accepted another position as a local construction company’s chief administrative officer.
Wynn said she looks forward to sharing her vision for improved education and economic development — her top priorities — to District 38 residents while she is on the campaign trail.
“They are essential to our communities for a quality way of life. Both are crucial for the sustainability of industrial growth in the Golden Triangle area. As a former alderman … I supported more than $200 million in economic development measures. I presently have a working relationship with the Golden Triangle Development LINK and would welcome an opportunity to assist at the state level for economic legislation,” she said. “It is important that Mississippi State University and the other higher education institutions in the surrounding areas have the support needed at the legislative level. If elected, I am committed to fostering relationships and continuing the relationships I garnered as an alderman with local higher education personnel, so I will have a working knowledge of their needs as it relates to educational institutions.”
When discussing his upcoming retirement last month, Ellis cited burnout and a desire to spend more time with his family as reasons for his departure.
Ellis said he looked forward to spending more time with his wife, six grandchildren and Noxubee County congregation.
In addition to the District 38 race, many Oktibbeha County voters will have more elections than normal to participate in this November: a countywide referendum is set to determine whether supervisors should proceed with a transaction of OCH Regional Medical Center; both the circuit and chancery clerks’ positions are up for a vote; and District 1 voters will decide who will serve as their constable.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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