The Magee Courier/Simpson County News hosted a political forum Tuesday, July 11, affording local candidates the opportunity to make five-minute presentations. The event drew 18 candidates who shared their reasons for running for public office.
The primary election is Tuesday, August 8, 2023.
Publisher Marlan Jones opened with remarks and thanked the candidates for attending before introducing the first candidate.
Several common topics arose among the men and women, some of whom are running unopposed in their particular election. They include mental health, economic development, the public school system, public safety agencies, roads, and money or the lack thereof.
Andy Berry is running unopposed for Senate District 35. While he had not originally planned to run, he said God opened doors to allow him the opportunity. Berry says he will serve with common sense and specifically stated he will make no promises to anyone. Economic development and transportation are vitally important to rural communities in his opinion. Berry is married and has two sons.
Price Wallace has served since 2018 as House Representative in District 77. He focused on his accomplish- ments, especially where human trafficking, abortion, and election issues are concerned, citing several House bills passed during his tenure. Wallace currently serves as chairman of the Apportionment and Elections Committee and is running unopposed.
Sheriff Paul Mullins is also running unopposed. His concerns including staffing shortages and low pay, the juvenile justice system, mental health, drug issues, jury duty and voter apathy. Sheriff Mullins made it clear that no matter who is at fault we have an open border that affects Simpson County and drugs are readily available here. He added county law enforcement is losing out to state agencies that are able to offer more competitive packages.
There are three candidates running for the position of Justice Court Judge Post 1.
Brian Kennedy has been supervisor for District 3 nearly 12 years. In that time he has served as board president three terms. He stated that he is a proven leader in the county and has a consistent record of making common sense decisions. Kennedy added he will be fair, impartial and serve with integrity. He is married and has four sons, a daughter-in-law and one granddaughter.
Clint Welch is a Simpson County native and member of Jupiter Baptist Church where he serves as a deacon and song leader. “If I get elected I’ll do the best I can.” Welch, a 5th generation farmer, is married with one son.
Lori King is running as an independent. She gave a brief description of court specifics and detailed she is running as an independent as she wants to be impartial and nonpartisan. King has 24 years total court experience, 17 as court clerk with City of Mendenhall and is a certified law enforcement officer for the state.
Tracey Seghini is seeking the position of Justice Court Judge Post 2. She has had a law practice in Mendenhall the last 8 years and has also served as public defender for justice court and the city of Mendenhall municipal court. Seghini believes the position calls for knowledge, experience and transparency and she possesses them all. A Simpson County native she is married with two children.
Witt Fortenberry is Simpson County Circuit Clerk running unopposed. Prior to this he was a practicing attorney. Fortenberry works closely with election commissioners and dealing with elections. He informed attendants of equipment upgrades providing better security for elections. In addition, Fortenberry stated his office will turn over more money to the county than ever before by working efficiently, keeping costs down and revenues up.
Tomeka Smith is running for Chancery Clerk. She has worked under the 13 chancery districts since 2007 including as youth court counselor and school attendance officer. She currently is a child protection services supervisor. Smith is running because she loves Simpson County and sees things that need change. Her education background is psychology with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. As such she too is concerned about the mental health of county citizens. Smith is married and has two children.
Mitchell Chapman is seeking re-election to supervisor of District 1. He currently serves as vice president of the Board of Supervisors, acknowledging great things have been done but there is more work to do. Chapman believes Simpson County is moving forward and investing in her residents is crucial. He is married with three children and three grandchildren.
Danny Craft is running for his third term as supervisor District 2. He also referred to the accomplishments of the board in the last four years citing the new vehicles for the sheriff’s department. Craft pointed out he graduated from Achievement of Excellence in County Government, first in Simpson County and one of only 120 out of 420 supervisors. He is married with two children and three grandchildren.
David Johnson is running for supervisor District 2. He stated that if elected he will make the best decisions for District 2 and the county as a whole. Johnson added, “I will never, never vote to raise your taxes in any way.” He is a lifelong resident of Simpson County, married with a son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.
Three candidates running for supervisor District 3 attended.
Wayne Womack has polled residents in the district and discovered an array of wants: better roads, rodeo arena, bowling alley, skating rink all of which require money. He commended the current board on its accomplishments but stated, “We have to try to do things different to grow.” Womack cited Proverbs 29:18 that states with no vision the people will perish.
Red Bankston has lived in Simpson County for 50 plus years. He has been a D’Lo alderman since 2013 and a member of the Mendenhall Volunteer Fire Department since 2005. “I’ll do what I can; I’m available 24 hours a day.”
Randy Morrow believes to move forward “we have to better our school system” that more people would be inclined to relocate to Simpson County. In addition Morrow wants to see everyone work together – supervisors, school officials, law enforcement – and establish a plan.
Donnie Welch is running unopposed for supervisor District 4 and has served as board president this year. He referenced the impacts of Covid 19, the ice storm of 2021, the recent storm damage and the need for dollars to address them all. “The Board of Supervisors has to manage the money to keep the millage rate where it is. It’s a balancing act.”
William Chalk is running for supervisor District 5. He has been in construction for 41 years and is a licensed and bonded commercial general contractor. Having worked several jobs throughout the state and Simpson County Chalk believes he has the requisite experience. “I believe I could be a great asset to the Board of Supervisors.”
Daniel Ferguson is also seeking supervisor District 5. He is a general contractor as well as a farmer, pointing out he never wanted to be a politician and is not one. His focus is to take care of the citizens better than in the past. Residents have a choice where to live and spend their tax dollars. Ferguson also spoke to the need for Christian leadership and that voting is imperative.
To watch Political Speaking in its entirety go to the Magee Courier/Simpson County News Facebook page.
