From The Mississippi Link Newswire
JACKSON – Republican Ricky Adam has been elected sheriff in Hancock County – becoming only the fourth sheriff in Hancock County in the past 50 years.
Adam defeated Democrat Eric Moran in Tuesday’s election.
Several counties elected new sheriffs Tuesday.
Two other coastal counties kept theirs. Melvin Brisolara was re-elected in Harrison County and Mike Byrd won re-election in Jackson County. Hinds, Rankin and Madison counties will all have new sheriffs.
Adam said his first task will be to begin a smooth transition with Sheriff Steve Garber, who served for 12 years.
Adam said he believes the biggest challenges ahead will be battling the crime problem in the county and the opening of the new jail. The new $40 million facility is expected in late December or early January.
Adam said he has confidence in the current staff at the sheriff’s department.
“The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department has some great employees and I’m excited to be able to work with them now,” he said. It’s been a pleasure to serve the people of Hancock County for the past 12 years as a justice court judge and I’m looking forward to being the next sheriff.”
In Harrison County, Brisolara captured 70 percent of the vote over Randall Darty.
“The first four years were tough, but we’ve accomplished a lot,” Brisolara said.
In Jackson County, Byrd, a Republican, won a fourth term, defeating Democratic challenger Jeff Barnes and independent opponent Walter “Bo” Bohl.
“I appreciate the public’s faith in me,” Byrd said. “I haven’t let them down, nor will I ever let them down. Nor will I ever betray their trust in me.”
In DeSoto County, Sheriff Bill Rasco won a second term defeating former sheriff James Albert Riley, Ronnie Pollard and Jim Caldwell, who all ran as independents. Rasco ran as a Republican.
Rasco was seeking his second term after defeating Riley in 2007.
In other sheriff’s races:
– Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson won a third term, defeating Democrat Dovie Outlaw Williams.
– Democrat Jimmy Edwards beat Republican Jim Taylor to replace longtime Union County Sheriff Tommy Wilhite, who retired.
– Democrat Cecil Cantrell beat Republican Mike Hall in Monroe County. Cantrell will replace incumbent Andy Hood, whom he defeated in the Democratic primary.
– Democrat Leo Mask beat Republican Shawn Settles and Independent Larry Poole in Pontotoc County. Mask beat incumbent Neal Davis in the primary.
– Democrat Dean Howell won in George County, defeating Republican Neal Henry. Howell had defeated Tony Keel, who had been sheriff since just after Sheriff Garry Welford was killed in 2010.
– Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie defeated independent Ricardo Clayton.
Two women to hold state-wide office for first time ever
Lost in the mix of Tuesday’s general election may be the significance of two women holding a state-wide office, at the same time, in Mississippi’s history, WCBI reported.
Cindy Hyde-Smith as Agriculture Commissioner and Lynn Fitch as Treasurer.
Former Lt. Governor Amy Tuck says Hyde-Smith and Fitch will have to have a willingness to work with others, while setting out on a mission to accomplish their goals in office.
Tuck says the election could send a clear message to current Mississippi students.
“I hope that it will be encouraging to future generations, future young women across our state to become involved in the political process and have an interest in it. And hopefully one day seek an office at any particular level,” says Tuck.
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