2023 ELECTION Election matchups set for this fall

Clay County is once again gearing up for its election cycle in 2023. This past Wednesday, February 1, was the deadline for submissions to qualify for the Clay County 2023 elections. This past Thursday, Clay County Circuit Clerk Kim Hood addressed this list of all the candidates who are hoping to run in this year's elections.

“This list represents the people that have submitted their qualification papers,” said Hood. “They still have to go before each party to determine if they actually have the qualifications to run for that office. But these are the people who came into our office and submitted their qualification papers.”

The list announced by Hood included candidates for the positions of Sheriff, Chancery Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Tax Collector/Assessor, Coroner, County Prosecuting Attorney, County Supervisors for all Districts, Justice Court Judges for Districts 1 and 2, Constables for Districts 1 and 2, and Election Commissioners for Districts 2 and 3.

This year, the positions of Sheriff, Circuit Clerk, and County Supervisor will be hotly contested.

Incumbent Eddie Scott is facing competition for his position as county Sheriff. Cedric Sykes and Ramirez Williams have both indicated that they intend to run against him for the role.

For the position of Circuit Clerk, the incumbent Hood intends to run for the position again, though Sawana D. Walker Bean is set to run against her.

When it comes to Clay County Supervisors, the election will be even fiercer. Only three incumbent supervisors plan to run for their seats again, including Lynn D. Horton of District 1, R.B. Davis of District 3, and Joe Chandler of District 3.

All three will face opposition in the polls. Mike Duke will be running against Horton for the District 1 seat. R.B. Davis of District 3 will be contested by three different candidates, Heath H. Donahoo, Larry Smith, and Jake Pollard. Joe Chandler, the incumbent for District 5, will be facing Jeremy R. Harpole and Brad Williamson for his seat on the Board of Supervisors.

The sitting supervisors for Districts 2 and 4, Luke Lummus and Shelton L. Deanes have declined to run again, leaving their seats up for grabs. Three candidates will be running for the District 2 seat, including Bob Lummus, Daryl Thomas, and Johnnie Collins. Six candidates hope to run for the District 4 seat, including Charles Young, Catina Brown, Rashaan Ivy, Melvin Raines, Barry Smitherman, and Jerry Randle.

The positions of County Prosecuting Attorney, Justice Court Judge for District 1 and Constable for District 2 are also being contested. Stephen S. Ross and Robin Brown both intend to run for County Prosecuting Attorney.

Incumbent Thomas E. Hampton will run against Clarissa Harris for Justice Court Judge District 1. Incumbent Albert Lee will be running against James T. McKee for Constable District 2.

But a few candidates appear to be running unopposed for their positions. Lafrance Hamilton Boyd is running unopposed for the position of Chancery Clerk. Incumbent Porsha Johnson Lee will be running for Tax Collector/ Assessor. Incumbent Alvin Carter, Jr. will be running for county Coroner. Incumbent Chris McBrayer will be running for Justice Court Judge District 2, incumbent Sherman Ivy will be running for Con

stable District 1, and incumbent Tommy Bryan will be running for Election Commissioner for District 2.