Lowndes County voters elected deputy circuit clerk Teresa Barksdale as the county’s new circuit clerk Tuesday.
Barksdale was one of four candidates vying for the position to replace current clerk Haley Salazar. She took 8,651 votes, to beat out competitors Joseph Mickens (5,989), Tim Heard (2,551) and Sheri Taylor Bedwell (296).
Tuesday’s vote total includes absentee ballots, but officials were still counting about 100 affidavits this morning.
Salazar, who has served as Lowndes County’s circuit clerk for 24 years, will retire at the end of the year.
“It’s a new adventure,” Barksdale said. “I’m just excited and thankful for the people who got out and voted today. There was a tremendous turnout in all areas and once again, I’m just thankful for all the people who cared enough to get out and vote because that’s what it’s all about.”
Though Barksdale will be new to the circuit clerk position, she’s familiar with the office. She has served in the circuit clerk’s office for 20 years and said Tuesday she will put that experience to use as she assumes her new role.
“That’s what I’ve run on — my 20 years of experience,” Barksdale said. “I’ve got some things to learn, but with the time that I’ve been here, I can put my knowledge to use.”
Circuit clerk pay is fee-based, with a $90,000 salary cap.
Arledge wins second term
Lowndes County Sheriff Mike Arledge won a second term as sheriff after voters pushed him to victory over Democratic challenger Selvain McQueen.
Arledge, a Republican, took 9,941 votes total. McQueen took 7,560 votes.
Arledge was first elected to the position in 2011. He has 30 years of previous experience with the Mississippi Department of Investigation, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and other law enforcement agencies.
The Dispatch could not reach Arledge for comment by press time.
Other races
In the only contested supervisor’s race in Lowndes County, incumbent Republican Harry Sanders defeated independent challenger, Phillip Atkins.
Sanders garnered 2,097 votes, while Atkins received 1,170, according to unofficial results from the District 1 election.
Longtime Lowndes County District 1 constable Willie “Hoot” West, a Democrat, received 3,567 votes to keep the post. His challenger, Chris Griffin, a Republican, received 3,082 votes.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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