Bradford qualifies for House race
A new candidate has entered the race for the Mississippi House of Representatives seat vacated by Tyrone Ellis, who retired in June.
Starkville native Narissa Bradford officially qualified on Friday for the House District 38 non-partisan special election that will be held on Nov. 7.
“We need leaders who will fight to continue the growth in Mississippi’s public education system,” Bradford said. “Without education, we have nothing.”
Bradford is a former professional fashion model and business owner who worked in Milan, Italy. Bradford owned a brunch restaurant - the American Breakfast Club - which found success and became a popular attraction.
She has also started a magazine and worked in consulting.
A press release from Bradford said she returned to Starkville to spend more time with her family.
“It was then that she dedicated herself to become a humanitarian and activist,” the release said. “The education system was far from what she remembered and the poverty levels in some areas were shocking. Bradford’s major concerns are people starving in our communities and adults struggling to find employment to provide for their children.“
Bradford has also been outspoken concerning the justice system and its impact on low-income communities in Mississippi.
“Until we break the cycle of poverty-crime-incarcerate-release-repeat, we are like a dog chasing its tail,” she said.
The Starkville Daily News reported last week former Ward 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn officially qualified
for the race after a failed re-election bid for the Board of Aldermen.
Ellis - a Democrat - announced his retirement in late June after 38 years in the Mississippi House of Representatives and has yet to announce an endorsement for his replacement.
Ellis stepped down to focus on his business and ministry work at Running Water Baptist Church in Noxubee County.
The winner of the race will finish out the remainder of Ellis’ term, which expires in January 2020.