Shepherd advances in sheriff’s race
Two more new faces are guaranteed a spot on the Tate County Board of Supervisors after a pair of incumbents fell in the Republican primary runoff, according to unofficial results from the circuit clerk’s office awaiting to be certified.
The dust also settled somewhat on the much-anticipated contest for sheriff as Luke Shepherd defeated current Tate County Chief Deputy Victor Byrd.
Four runoff races were on the ballot Tuesday, Aug. 29, after Republican candidates failed to secure enough votes for victory in the primary earlier in the month. In a primary with more than two contenders, a candidate must pick up 50 percent of the votes plus one to be declared the winner. If not, the top two vote-getters advance to a runoff.
District 1 Supervisor Cliff O’Conner and District 5 Supervisor Daryl Ricks, both closing out first terms in office, lost to their respective challengers in the runoff to assure at least four new names will be on the Board of Supervisors at the beginning of the New Year. Current District 2 representative Eddie Branan lost to Ron Williams in the primary, while District 4 Supervisor Billy Saunders did not seek re-election.
O’Conner dropped a highly contested race to local attorney Leigh Ann Darby by a slim 738 to 726 margin. Darby will face Democrat William Kirksey in the general election Tuesday, Nov. 7.
In District 5, George “Dick” Stepp defeated incumbent Ricks 635 to 320. Stepp advances to face three challengers in the general election including Independents Henry Harrison and Joshua L. Hood as well as Democrat Arthur J. Boyd.
Shepherd grabbed the most votes in the sheriff’s race in the primary in early August and maintained that momentum the rest of the month.
Shepherd held a slight edge against Byrd 1,982 to 1,914 in the runoff with 14 of 19 precincts reporting and used a strong showing in the five precincts in District 5 to pull away and earn the Republican nod 2,703 to 2,139. He will face Democrat Elliott Bobo in the general election.
In the runoff for District 4 Supervisor, local farmer and Senatobia firefighter Zander Billingsley defeated Robert Carpenter 587to 537. Billingsley will square off against Democrat Antonio D. Gross in the general election.
Unofficial Republican primary runoff results:
Sheriff
Luke Shepherd 2,703
Victor Byrd 2,139
Write-In 11
District 1 Supervisor
Leigh Ann Darby 738
Cliff O’ Conner 726
Write-In 3
District 4 Supervisor
Zander Bilingsley 587
Robert Carpenter 537
Write-In 0
District 5 Supervisor
George W. “Dick” Stepp 635
Daryl Ricks 320
Write-In 5
