Pontotoc Doctor Latest To Join Congressional Race

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – An emergency room physician has become the tenth person to announce his candidacy for a vacant congressional seat in north Mississippi.

Dr. Starner Jones, who says he lives in Pontotoc and has practiced medicine in Memphis, says he’s joining the race to succeed Republican Rep. Alan Nunnelee, who died Feb. 6.

Candidates’ qualifying deadline is March 27. The election is May 12, and a runoff is June 2.

Others running are Columbus businessman Boyce Adams, Columbus businessman Danny Bedwell, state Sen. Nancy Collins of Tupelo, district attorney Trent Kelly of Saltillo, Fulton attorney Chip Mills, Tupelo attorney Greg Pirkle, Oxford attorney Daniel Sparks, Northern District Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert of Starkville, and Oxford attorney Quentin Whitwell.

The 1st District stretches from DeSoto County to the Golden Triangle area.