Lowndes Ballot Begins to Heat Up

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) — Local fall politics may have gotten a little livelier in Lowndes County.

Former Columbus Police Chief Selvain McQueen and Juvenile Detention Director Anthony Nelson have qualified as a Democrats to challenge incumbent first-term Republican sheriff Mike Arledge.

McQueen initially ran four years ago but had to withdraw because of potential federal Hatch Act conflict with the police chief’s job. Nelson took his spot and lost to Arledge.

But McQueen retired in April, clearing the way for him to run this year.

Meanwhile, Ward 4 Columbus City Councilman Marty Turner has qualified to challenge long-time District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks in the August Democratic primary.

Turner is the second councilman to enter the county races; Ward 2’s Joseph Mickens is running for Circuit Court Clerk.

Democratic Ward 5 Councilman Kabir Karriem is holding a press conference Monday to announce whether he plans to challenge Democrat Esther Harrison for her District 41 state House seat. Harrison has held the post since 2000 and says she plans to run again this year.

Qualifying ends Feb. 27. Party primaries are Aug. 4 and the general election is Nov. 3.