By Rupert Howell

Batesville Police Captain Jimmy McCloud has thrown his hat in the ring qualifying to run in the Democratic primary for the office of Panola County Sheriff.

McCloud is the only first-timer on the list of candidates that have kept the doors swinging at the Circuit Clerk’s office were 13 Democrats and one independent candidate have qualified.

Incumbent Chancery Clerk Jim Pitcock has qualified to run for re-election as an independent. Independent candidates skip August party primary elections with their names going before the electorate on the general election ballot in November.

Craig Sheley has qualified to run as Panola County Circuit Clerk. Sheley served as Chief Deputy following the death of the late Sheriff David M. Bryan and ran for Bryan’s unexpired term being defeated by the late Shot Bright. He currently serves as the 17th Judicial District’s Drug Court Administrator.

Donnie Shaw has qualified to challenge incumbent District Three Supervisor Gary Thompson in the Democratic Primary. Thompson has also qualified to run for re-election. Shaw ran unsuccessfully four years ago finishing fourth in a nine man race with 238 or 11 percent of the vote.

Incumbent District Three Supervisor Thompson finished that initial primary election with 372 or 17 percent of the votes later winning the runoff against former supervisor Mike Darby who led the first primary.

Thompson currently serves as president of the board and has run for sheriff on three occassion unsuccessfully. He had previously served as constable for several terms.

Jarrell Mills will challenge District Four Supervisor Kelly Morris in the Democratic Primary who has also qualified. Mills ran for that position four years ago finishing third in a six person field with 342 or 16 percent of the vote.

Morris ran second in the first with 20 percent of the vote and won the runoff against incumbent Jerry Perkins who led the first primary with 34 percent of the vote.

Other incumbents who have qualified for re-election in the Democratic primary in Panola County are: Tax assessor/collector David Garner, District Two Constable Raye Hawkins, County Prosecutor Charlie Gaines Baker, District One Justice Court Judge Mike Wilson, District Two Justice Court Judge Willie Joiner, Coroner Gracie Grant Gulledge, District One Supervisor James Birge.