All four candidates for Lowndes County sheriff showed for a forum Thursday at New Hope Community, each addressing how law enforcement should attack drug crimes in the county.
The nonpartisan forum, hosted by New Hope High School Assistant Principal Sammy Sullivan, included 24 candidates running for statewide or local offices this year — from gubernatorial candidates to county supervisor hopefuls. Each candidate had five minutes to speak, but neither the audience nor a moderator asked them any questions.
While each sheriff candidate discussed drug issues throughout the county, candidate Eddie Hawkins said fighting drug crimes would be his primary focus if he is elected. He said with his experience as a lieutenant with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, attacking drug issues would lessen crime county-wide.
“We have a large drug problem in Lowndes County,” Hawkins told the more than 100 audience members who attended. “It’s hard to put a number on just how much crime is related to drugs. If we work on the drug problem we’re gong to have less crime.”
Chief Deputy Greg Wright boasted his three decades of law enforcement experience. In addition to drug crimes, he told constituents he would increase scrutiny on crimes against women, children, cyber crimes and animal cruelty.
“I have the leadership needed to run a sheriff’s office,” Wright said. “I’m at this point where I know what Lowndes County needs. If I’m elected, you’ll get my very best every day.”
Rick Jones, a former Lowndes County Adult Detention Center administrator and current Columbus police officer, said he has noticed a lack of deputy visibility throughout the county. With nearly 40 years experience in law enforcement, he said he hopes to increase one-on-one conversations with the public by keeping deputies in the field.
“I want to make our county safer,” Jones said. “I’m bringing back a lot of experience into this office.”
Hawkins, Wright and Jones are all Republicans and will face off in the Aug. 6 primary.
Anthony Nelson, an independent who will face the Republican in the Nov. 5 general election, said if he is elected, he will hit the ground running in the field and be sure to have a presence with the public.
“I want to be out there with my people,” Nelson said. “I’m here to tell you that I want to be your sheriff and I want to open up the lines of communication between us.”
Nelson is also a CPD officer and a former administrator for the Lowndes County Juvenile Detention Center.
Other candidates
In addition to local candidates, three governor candidates arrived in New Hope reaching out to voters.
Republican Bill Waller and Democrats Valesha P. Williams and Albert Wilson all focused much of their talks on public education.
Waller specifically addressed fixing roads and bridges, while increasing vocational training in public schools. Williams vowed to expand Medicaid and affordable health care and increase minimum wage. Wilson focused on creating higher paying jobs to keep people from leaving Mississippi.
Two chancery clerk candidates, Cindy Egger Goode and Jessica Lancaster Pierce, both spoke about their experience Thursday night. Pierce worked as deputy chancery clerk for eight years. Goode, who currently works as the deputy chancery clerk, boasted her experience as a paralegal for a decade and has served 14 years in the chancery office.
District 37 Rep. Gary Chism (R-Columbus) and Libertarian challenger Vicky Rose were both present. Chism spoke briefly about his transparency and honesty with the public, while Rose focused on giving voters a choice. She added Chism was running unopposed which pushed her to throw her hat in the ring.
Sullivan said he organized the candidate forum because he wanted Lowndes County residents to put a face to a name and hopes they will be more informed before election time. Though each candidate was only given five minutes to speak, Sullivan said he hopes voters continue to research before casting their ballot.
“I just wanted people to know about who the candidates are,” Sullivan said. “There’s candidates here we don’t know and we need to let them talk a little about themselves. I was shocked at how many candidates took Lowndes County and New Hope seriously. That shows me that Lowndes County can make a difference.”
Other candidates who spoke included lieutenant governor candidate Jay Hughes, transportation commissioner candidates John Caldwell and Trey Bowman, state representative candidates Danny Bedwell, Dana McLean and current Senator Chuck Younger, county prosecutor candidate Corky Smith, supervisor candidates for District 3 supervisor John Holliman and Tim Heard, District 1 Supervisor Harry Sanders, District 2 Supervisor candidate Trip Hairston and constable candidates Spence Wallingford and Joe Ables Jr.
For those candidates that could not be there, some sent representatives in their place to speak.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.