By Billy Davis
and David Howell

Batesville attorney Smith Murphey announced last week he is the latest candidate to seek an open seat in Mississippi’s 17th Circuit Court District.

Murphey is seeking the judge’s seat after longtime Judge Andrew C. Baker announced he would retire at the end of the current term.

Batesville attorney Adam Pittman and Charleston attorney William Sanders have also qualified to run for Baker’s seat, technically called Subdistrict 2, Position 1.

Voters in four of the five counties in the court district – Tate, Panola, Tallahatchie and Yalobusha – are eligible to vote for this position.

Baker was appointed by then-Mississippi Governor Cliff Finch in 1978 and has been re-elected without opposition ever since.

Murphey is seeking the judge’s position after running in a similar special election last year. He lost to Jimmy McClure of Sardis in a heated two-way race.

McClure is seeking re-election and is running unopposed so far.

In other circuit court races, Circuit Judge Robert Chamberlain, who also serves in the 17th Circuit Court District, has qualified to seek re-election in Subdistrict 1, Position 1. Only voters in DeSoto County can vote for this position.

A fourth judge’s position in the 17th Circuit Court District, Position 4, could be on the ballot for the first time after the Mississippi Legislature authorized the new position. Hernando attorney Stan Little has qualified for this position in which voters from all five counties in the district are eligible to vote.

Funding for Position 4 has not been finalized, and it is possible that opening this new seat could be delayed.

All candidates have until May 7 to qualify to run in these positions.