STARKVILLE — Eleven Democratic candidates running for county positions in 2023 introduced their platforms at a forum at the Oktibbeha County Courthouse Annex Tuesday night. Conversation ranged from roads to teenage gun violence.
The candidate forum was put on by the Oktibbeha County Democratic Party and included party hopefuls in several county races.
Each candidate was given four minutes to introduce themselves and lay out their platform. Republican and independent candidates did not attend.
Supervisor candidates
The two Democratic candidates for the District 1 supervisor seat, Ronnie Clardy and Erik Young, said they are chiefly concerned about county roads.
“Drainage is a lot of it,” Clardy said. “… There are a lot of roads with standing water in them that you can’t go through, with people turning around because of the water. It doesn’t happen often, but it does (happen).”
Clardy, a lifelong resident of the county and owner of Clardy Construction, said his experience managing equipment would help him on the county level. His uncle, Carl Clardy, served three terms as supervisor, until he lost the seat to John Montgomery in 2011.
Young agreed county roads need to be addressed. Though he mentioned drainage, his main concerns were potholes and road safety.
“That’s the main thing that I see,” Young said. “I think about the safety of the school buses for the kids. Some of these roads have potholes, and it’s taking them forever to get it done. Somebody’s going to have to stand up and get it done.”
Young is also a lifelong county resident and has been working at 4-County electric for 20 years. He said he would have to resign if he took the supervisor seat.
Young and Clardy are opposed by Republicans Ben Carver, Greg Fulgham, Ed Whitehurst and Sammy Wade Jones.
Joe Williams, incumbent supervisor for District 5, also expressed his concerns about county roads and creeks.
But Williams said he is going to continue to focus on working, not campaigning.
“I’ve been fortunate with your help and other supervisors … to pave about 26 roads,” Williams said. “I’m presently now working on 11 miles of roadway (on Oktoc Road).”
Williams is facing opposition from within his own party this year, as Walter James Stewart is also running for District 5 Supervisor.
Stewart was not present at the event.
Williams is also opposed by Republicans Anthony Watt and Les Lindley.
Sheriff
John Rice, a Starkville native, said he is coming out of retirement to run for county sheriff due to his concerns about teen violence in the county.
“I want you to know every time I turn around, I see 14-, 15-, and 16-year-olds going to jail. And I don’t like that,” Rice said. “… The goal and the dream that I have is to see grandparents back on the porch. We’ve lost that. We’ve lost the community.”
Rice previously ran for county sheriff in 2019, but narrowly lost to sitting Sheriff Steve Gladney in the Democratic primary. Gladney is not running for reelection.
Rice has 14 years of experience in law enforcement and spent almost a decade with the sheriff’s office before retiring in 2020 due to a knee injury.
Rice is opposed by Republican Shank Phelps.
Tax Assessor
Johelen Walker is running for tax assessor after 13 years of working under current assessor Allen Morgan, who is retiring. She has 23 total years of experience in the field.
Walker said she is passionate about helping people understand how and why she gets the numbers she gets.
Walker is opposed by Republican John Montgomery, the current District 1 Supervisor.
Justice Court judge
Marty Haug is the incumbent Justice Court Judge for District 3. He is a Starkville native with 20 years of experience as an attorney and has been serving as judge for eight years.
“I’ve practiced in every state court in two states,” Haug said. “I’ve seen good courts and bad courts, good judges and bad judges, and I know what happens when either kind happens.”
Haug is opposed by Republicans Brian Michael Lindner and Will McNeel.
Constable
Two Democrats seeking constable seats prioritized approachability when it comes to the law enforcement role.
William Ford is currently a deputy at the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office and is seeking the position of District 1 constable. Ford has 26 years of law enforcement experience.
He said he can handle the responsibilities of being a constable, since the role is “not much more than being a deputy.” He also emphasized that even if he wins the District 1 seat, he still wants to help everyone who lives in the county, no matter the district lines.
Ford is opposed by Republicans Joe Morse, Kenneth Watkins, and Shannon Williams.
District 3 constable candidate Ronald Hannah said he wants to be “faithful” to the people, as he has been a faithful husband and church member. Hannah moved to the county from the coast in 2016.
He has 14 years of experience in law enforcement, including deescalation experience.
Hannah is opposed by Republican James Lindsey.
Incumbent supervisors for Districts 2 and 3, Orlando Trainer and Marvell Howard, and incumbent District 2 Justice Court Judge Larnzy Carpenter — who are all running unopposed — also expressed their gratitude to county voters during the forum.
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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 47 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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