On Thursday, December 28, 2023, 16 elected officials were sworn into office in the Simpson County Courthouse, which was filled with family members and supporters of the incoming leadership.
Newly elected State Senator Andy Berry was also in attendance.
Honorable Judge Stanley Sorey administered the oath of office to all of the newly elected officials.
Sheriff Paul Mullins was first to be sworn in after introducing Judge Sorey. Mullins was joined by his family as he took the oath of office to begin his second term as the Sheriff of Simpson County.
Mitchell Chatman took his oath of office to serve Simpson County as the Supervisor of District 1 with his family by his side. Chatman is entering his second term as supervisor and will serve as the president of the Board of Supervisors this year.
Danny Craft won his election and was sworn in again as the Supervisor of District 2. Craft is entering his third term as supervisor, making him the longest serving member of the current board.
Wayne Womack was joined by his family as he recited the oath of office to assume his post as Supervisor of District 3 replacing Brian Kennedy. Womack is entering his first term as a supervisor.
Donny Welch was joined by his family as he was sworn in as Supervisor of District 4, beginning his second term. Welch served as board president for the past year.
Charlie Westmoreland will enter his first term after being sworn in as the Supervisor of District 5. Westmoreland replaced long time Supervisor Randy Moore as the representative of District 5.
Tim Gray was sworn in as the Chancery Clerk to begin his four-year term. Gray previously finished the term of long time Chancery Clerk Tommy Joe Harvey before running for the position again in the recent election. Circuit Clerk Witt Fortenberry, took his oath of office to begin his second term.
Tax Assessor Jamie Brewer followed and was joined by her family. Brewer is entering her second term as tax assessor.
Terry Tutor once again swore in as coroner and thanked all the elected officials in the room and retiring county administrator Rhuel Dickinson. Tutor said he was looking forward to continuing to serve the people of Simpson County.
Justice Court Judge Post 1 Brian Kennedy was sworn into office for his first term. Kennedy had been a constant figure on the Simpson County Board of Supervisors before running for Justice Court Judge. He was joined by his family.
Justice Court Judge Post 2 Charles Savell was accompanied by his family as he was sworn in. Judge Savell is entering his second term as Justice Court Judge.
Constables Randall Coleman and Chris Jones said their oaths of office. Both constables were incumbents in the general election. Election Commissioners Eugen Blair and Diane McPhail recited their oaths, resuming their duties as election commissioners.
Sheriff deputies and the jail administrator collectively said their oaths of office to conclude the ceremony.
