Only one current Senatobia alderman turned in paperwork during the first week of qualifying for the upcoming municipal election.
Republican Kevin Dear has submitted the necessary forms seeking a third term for his Ward 2 seat on the Senatobia Board of Alderman.
The qualification period began Thursday, Jan. 2 and ends Friday, Jan. 31, at 5 p.m.
So far only one candidate – Republican Jeff Underwood – has signed qualifying forms in Ward 1. Underwood serves as Director of School Operations for the Senatobia School District. Incumbent Larry Simpson isn’t seeking a third term.
“I very much appreciate the voters of Ward 1,” Simpson said. “I am ready to let someone younger take the job.”
Michael Cathey, who was previously an alderman in Senatobia for over 30 years before abruptly resigning in 2017, has thrown his hat in the ring for the Ward 3 spot. Cathey is running as a Democrat. Incumbent Allen “Vashon” Tanksley has not turned in qualifying forms yet, but told the Tate Record he has his sights set on serving a third term.
Three candidates have emerged for the Ward 4 seat currently held by Brian Hale who announced he isn’t running for a third term in office. Republicans Harry "Mitch" Bryant Jr., Jacob Stovall and Chris McConnell have turned in paperwork.
No candidates declared for the alderman at-large spot during the first week of qualifying. Incumbent Demetrius Garrett who won the seat in a special election last February said he intends to seek reelection.
Current Mayor Greg Graves, who officially took over in October 2018 after winning a special election to fill the seat vacated by Alan Callicott, is seeking his second full term in office. No one turned in forms during the first week of qualifying to challenge Graves for the mayor’s spot.
To qualify, aldermen candidates must have been a resident of the ward where they are seeking election for at least two years and no felony convictions on their record. If they are running as a Republican or Democrat, a $10 fee is required when filing paperwork at Senatobia City Hall.
Independent candidates do not pay a fee but need 50 signatures from any qualified voter inside the Senatobia city limits.
The primary for the municipal election is Tuesday, April 1. If necessary, a runoff is set for Tuesday, April 22. Absentee voting for the primary begins Monday, Feb. 17. The general election is Tuesday, June 3 and there is no runoff after a general election.
All Senatobia registered voters can cast ballots on Front Street. Voting for Wards 1, 2 and 3 will take place inside the boardroom at Senatobia City Hall, while polls for Ward 4 and the alderman at-large spot will be set up in the Senatobia Municipal Courtroom.
The Tate Record will post weekly updates on the list of candidates until the qualification period ends.
At press time, no candidates had qualified for the municipal election in Coldwater according to the town clerk.
