Big Winners in Mississippi Judicial Elections: Incumbents, Barnes, Weill, Gowan, Schloegel
Incumbents--many unopposed--were the big winners in Tuesday's judicial elections in Mississippi. The best site I found for vote totals in all the races was on the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal's website.
Judge Donna Barnes defeated challenger Kelly Mims for the Court of Appeals. Mims ran a hard race, but voters did not have much of a reason to vote Barnes out of office.
In local judge races, Jeff Weill won Swan Yerger's seat on the Hinds County Circuit Court with over 60% of the vote. Whoever Governor Barbour appoints to replace Justice James Graves on the Mississippi Supreme Court should fear Weill. I believe that Weill can beat anyone else who runs for the seat.
Bill Gowan defeated Malcolm Harrison by 700 votes for the other contested Hinds County Circuit Court seat. Gowan won on the strength of a bunch of Malcolm McMillan TV commercials. Harrison had been appointed to the position by Governor Haley Barbour. Rain on Tuesday may have been the deciding factor in Gowan's win.
On the Coast, Gulfport native Jennifer Schloegel beat four other candidates to win the Chancery Judge seat being vacated by Margaret Alfonso, who won a county court judge seat. Schloegel, her husband Mark, and both their families are well known and popular on the Coast. Schloegel's father-in-law is mayor of Gulfport.
Like Weill, Schloegel probably could also win an election for the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court. She would also be a candidate for an appointment to replace Justice Mike Randolph on the Mississippi Supreme Court if he ever acts on rumors that he is interested in running for state wide office.
There will be an interesting runoff between Melvin Priester and Brent Southern for Hinds County County Court judge. Priester got over 5,000 more votes than Southern. But Southern will pick up all Frank Farmer's supporters and a lot of Trent Walker's in the runoff. I expect the runoff to be close and would not be surprised to see Southern win based on better voter turnout by his supporters.
So does this make Harrison a favorite to fill Graves's seat, if the Senate gets around to confirming Graves?
Why did Margaret Alfonso go from chancery to county court?
Patsy,
I can only speculate, but here are possible reasons for Alfonso's switch:
1. She is tired of hearing and deciding domestic disputes;
2. she is tired of being the fact finder and would rather let a jury serve as the fact finder;
3. she is tired of serving in a multi-county district and wants to stay in Harrison County.
RE: Harrison. I hope not. He wasn't competent to serve at the circuit level, let alone the appellate level.
Patsy and PT: I expect Margaret Alphonso's switch was more motivated by her interest in serving as a Youth Court Judge.
This thread at Jackson Jambalaya does not hold out much hope as regards Bill Gowan.
Doesn't make Harrison a good judge, but election are typically about the lesser evil.
How about Judge "Rip" Prichard losing to Mozingo? Haven't practiced full time in Mississippi for a couple of years, but back when I was there Prichard was the Billy Joe Landrum of the 15th. I mean, he's been there since Nixon was in office.
Tried my first jury trial before him, as well.
V.I. Prichard? That is news.
I suppose the comparison to Landrum refers to longevity, not quality.