By Ayesha K. Mustafaa
Editor
As he was elected to “protect the rights of the citizens to vote,” Hinds County Election Commissioner James A. Reed, at his swearing in ceremony, said, “Fifty years ago, I served in the U.S. army but could not vote. I defended the U.S. Constitution but was not allowed to vote. So this is a rather historic moment for me.”
Reed said he was ready to retire, to travel and play golf with his wife but at the urging of local Democrats and the backing of his wife, Sharon, he believed he had to do this. He noted that he won the office without a runoff vote, and that he was “in it to win it.”
So Monday, Jan. 7, in Hinds County Chancery Court with Judge Denise Owens presiding, Reed was sworn in as election commissioner of District 1 for Hinds County.
Judge Owens iterated the role of the election commissioner to protect the rights of the voter and therefore it being appropriate that as a Chancery Court judge she would administer the oath of office to Reed.
Owens delayed hearing a case on her roster to hold the swearing in ceremony program in her chambers.
The invocation and benediction were given by Rev. Dwight D. Prowell of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Introduction of the new election commissioner was done by Bill Dilday.
In her remarks, Jacqueline A. Norris, field director of the Mississippi Democratic Party, expressed how the party and the people were depending on Reed to oversee their voting rights.
Hinds County Sheriff Tyrone Lewis said, in his remarks before the ceremony gathering, “James Reed has been my mentor and I his mentee; we are fraternity brothers and both new employees of Hinds County.”
Reed said of his role, “I am to ensure honesty and integrity, to ensure that every vote counts, that the voter is treated fairly, that every worker in the election process is properly trained.”
During his campaign, Reed said, “I have learned since I’ve entered this race that so many people don’t understand how important this job is and don’t even know who their election commissioner is. This job is way too important, way too huge for the voters in Hinds County not to be familiar with their election commissioner.”
The Forest County, Miss., native attended Tougaloo College. He left Tougaloo to work for Illinois Central Railroad Company. He spent a total of 45 years with the Illinois Central Railroad Company before retiring in 2005. He served three years in the military and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1976.
He has lived in District 1 of Hinds County for 32 years, explaining that he knows the district well. “I’m well versed with this district.”
The election commissioner’s race is held in conjunction with the presidential race every four years. Reed was elected Tuesday, Nov. 6.
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