Morse qualifies for second constable bid
Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Deputy Joe Morse officially qualified to run for the open District 1 constable position on Monday.
Morse will face Shank Phelps, who stepped down from his role as constable when he retired as Oktibbeha County Emergency Management director in June. His wife, Mitzi Phelps, currently serves as interim constable for District 1.
As of Monday afternoon, only Morse and Phelps had qualified for the District 1 constable race in the nonpartisan special election that will be held on Nov. 7.
Morse, 68, has worked for the Okitbbeha County Sheriff's Department for the last 10 years, with nine of those spent as a transport officer. His law enforcement career began in 1977 as an auxiliary and part-time officer. In 2007, Morse joined the department in a full-time capacity.
This will be Morse's second campaign for District 1 constable, after an unsuccessful bid in 2011.
"I've always wanted to be a constable and I just like law enforcement," Morse said when asked what inspired him to make a second attempt at the office.
Morse has lived in Starkville for the last 44 years, but grew up in Columbus and also served in the United States Navy. He said his long career in law enforcement makes him a qualified candidate for the position.
"I think (my experience) should just slide right in there being a constable … I don't see that there would be any problem," Morse said.
Phelps was first elected District 1 constable in 2011 and won an uncontested re-election bid in 2015.
District 1 covers the northwest part of the county and northwest part of the city of Starkville.