WEST POINT – Four candidates have thrown their hats into the ring for selectman seats, including a new face and two incumbents.

Terell Harris, 42, a Democrat and a West Point native, filed paperwork Jan. 13 to run for the Ward 1 selectman seat. Harris has owned the business Kustom Wear Printz since 2020. Harris attended Meridian Community College for business and marketing management technology, graduating in May 2023.

Harris also ran for the District 36 seat in the state house of representatives in 2023, though he lost the seat to incumbent Karl Gibbs. But the experience of door-to-door campaigning, Harris said, made him more aware of the community’s needs and “eager” to do the job of a selectman.

Harris said he is passionate about helping the city’s youth, job security and helping to move the city forward. He is running with the slogan, “People Over Politics,” which he said shows that he does not have a political agenda.

“If I took office, what I would hope to accomplish is to build a better relationship with the community and community leaders,” Harris said. “Helping to build an understanding of the needs truly going on in the community. Without the community input, you would never know what needs to be done. And I think it’s time we have someone who’s willing to get out in the community to face these times.”

Incumbent Ward 1 Selectwoman Leta Turner, 47, a Democrat and a West Point native, filed paperwork Jan. 16 to run for the same seat.
Turner has been a paralegal for about 25 years. She attended Mississippi State University, where she got a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Turner first took the Ward 1 seat in 2017 and is at the end of her second term as selectwoman. If re-elected, she said she wants to continue serving the citizens of her ward and of the city.

“I do still have a desire to continue to serve for Ward 1, as well as the citizens of West Point,” Turner said. “That being said, if they have a desire for me to continue to serve, I am here and ready to do it.”

Harris and Turner also face Democrat and former Ward 1 Selectwoman Linda Hannah.

Qualifying for municipal elections will run through 5 p.m. Jan. 31. Party primaries are April 1 and the general election is June 3.

Ward 3

Incumbent Ward 3 Selectman Ken Poole, 47, a Democrat, filed paperwork on Jan. 8. He first took the seat in 2017. Poole did not respond to calls from The Dispatch by press time.

Ward 5

Myron Crawford, 51, a Democrat, filed his qualifying paperwork Wednesday. He previously lost the Ward 5 seat during a special election in June to fill the unexpired term of Jasper “Peicy” Pittman, who passed away May 6.

Crawford told The Dispatch Friday he has not decided if he plans to run for the seat yet, or if he will drop out of the race before the end of the qualifying period due to extenuating circumstances. He did not offer any further comment.

Crawford faces incumbent Selectman Cole Bryan, 40, a Democrat.