The Webster Progress-Times

Two of Tuesday's runoffs for county offices will determine who will hold those open positions for the next four years.

The second primary election includes Democratic races for three countywide offices and one county district office. None of the candidates for the offices received a majority of the votes in the first party primary on Aug. 5; those in the runoffs were the top two vote-getters.

Sharon S. Tindall and Russ Turner are both making their second bids for chancery clerk. Tindall is a 13-year employee of the Webster County School District. Turner is a former two-term supervisor and former plant manager of Dixie Craft Trailers.

The winner will have no opponent in November's general election and therefore will be declared the winner outright. Incumbent Tootsie Doolittle did not seek re-election.

The runoff winner for superintendent of education can be assured of assuming that position in January because of no general election opposition. Jimmy Pittman, a previous candidate for the office, is principal of Montgomery County High School in Kilmichael. Opponent Wanda Porter is special education supervisor for Webster County schools. The winner will replace incumbent Pete Powell, who is running for District 35 state representative.

Tax assessor-collector candidates are Barbara E. Gore and Nicole M. Orr. Gore has worked in that office and Orr currently works there, having been deputy tax assessor since 1999.

Tuesday's winner will face Independent candidate Nancy Mann Brister on Nov. 4. Incumbent Pat Ray did not run again.

Voters in Justice Court District 2 will choose between Martha L. Ballard and Rebecca E. Ellison for judge. Ballard is a Eupora alderman and served as a justice court judge for eight years while she lived in Choctaw County. Ellison, a previous candidate for the office, has been employed by a local dentist since 1983.

The winner will face Independent candidate Donnie Busby on Nov. 4. Incumbent Sarah Pittman Lewis did not seek re-election.

The only other runoff on the

Democratic ballots is between state treasurer candidates Gary Anderson and Rob Smith. A Republican runoff in that race will be between Wayne Burkes and Tate Reeves. Former treasurer Marshal Bennett, who was elected in 1987 as a Democrat, resigned this summer to join a New York law firm.

The only other runoff on the Republican ballot will be between commissioner of agriculture and commerce candidates Roger Crowder and Max Phillips. The winner will face Democratic incumbent Lester Spell in November.

Voters who cast ballots in the first primary may not vote in the second primary of another party. People who did not vote at all in a first primary may vote in any party's second primary.

Absentee voting for the runoffs can be done at the circuit clerk's office in the Courthouse at Walthall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Friday, and from 8 a.m. until noon Saturday. Mailed absentee ballots must be received no later than 4 p.m. Monday. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Voters with election questions may call the circuit clerk's office at 258-6287.

These candidates will be listed on Tuesday's second primary election ballots. Only voters in Eupora No. 1, Bluff Springs, Walthall, Bellefontaine, Cadaretta, Eupora No. 3, Grady, Tomnolen and Fay election precincts will cast ballots in the Democratic runoff for District 2 Justice Court judge:

DEMOCRATIC PARTY

For state treasurer: Gary Anderson and Robert H. "Rob" Smith.

For chancery clerk: Sharon Salley Tindall and Russell S. Turner.

For tax assessor/collector: Barbara Ellison Gore and Nicole Mann Orr.

For superintendent of education: Jimmy O. Pittman and Wanda P. Porter.

For Justice Court judge District 2: Martha L. Ballard and Rebecca Edwards Ellison.

REPUBLICAN PARTY

For state treasurer: Wayne Burkes and Tate Reeves.

For commissioner of agriculture and commerce: Roger D. Crowder and Max Phillips.