Names Start to Surface for Special Senate Election

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) — One candidate has had his qualifying papers certified and at least five others are considering a run for the state Senate seat left vacant by the death of Terry Brown earlier this month.

Former state senator Bill ‘Doc’ Canon, who held the seat before Brown was elected in 2003, had his petition certified Thursday afternoon by the Lowndes County Circuit Court Clerk’s office.

Others who have picked up petitions or are considering the Nov. 4 special election include current Ward 6 Columbus City Councilman Bill Gavin, former Lowndes County District 3 Supervisor Mike Smith of New Hope and businessmen Robert Patrick, Justin Shelton and Chuck Younger.

October 6 is the qualifying deadline. Candidates will not run by party affiliation, but the district is considered largely Republican. Candidates must collect the signatures of 50 registered voters and submit qualifying papers to the Lowndes County Circuit Court clerk. Once the signatures are verified, the papers are filed with the Secretary of State’s office for final certification.

The winner will serve the remaining year on Brown’s term and have to run again next November for a full four-year term.

District 17 currently covers Lowndes County but will change for next year’s election to cover eastern and southern Lowndes and southeastern Monroe County.