Four people have now qualified to become Oktibbeha County’s next circuit clerk after Mississippi State University employee Elaine Turner filed her candidacy forms Thursday.
Turner, who works as an administrative assistant for MSU’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, will face MSU Receiving Services Coordinator Teresa Davis, Oktibbeha County Deputy Elections Clerk Sheryl Elmore and Starkville Municipal Court Administrator Tony Rook in the Nov. 7 non-partisan race.
Davis is a former candidate for circuit clerk who lost to the race’s eventual winner, Glenn Hamilton, by about 1,000 votes in 2011.
Elmore has worked in the clerk’s office for eight years, which included a stint as the deputy over the county’s civil division. Her job includes managing voter data — including registrations, rolls and the address library — and handling marriage licenses, passports and restitution payments.
Rook has 24 years of courtroom experience, including 18 years as Starkville’s court administrator and department head. He also served with the Starkville Police Department and Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department.
Turner previously served in an administrative role with the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
Gov. Phil Bryant called for a special election earlier this month, after Hamilton resigned due to pleading guilty to methamphetamine possession in Clay County.
The Nov. 7 ballot will also include special elections for the Mississippi House of Representatives’ District 38 seat; Oktibbeha County’s chancery clerk and District 1 constable; and a referendum on a potential sale or lease of OCH Regional Medical Center.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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