Local politics heat up; candidates qualify until Feb. 1 for ’23 election

The close of 2022 many potential candidates declaring their intent to run in this year’s election. Now, they can make it official as the qualifying date for the summer primary elections officially opened Jan. 3 for statewide, state district, legislative, county and county district offices.
Candidates have until Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 5 p.m. to file qualifying material with the proper office. Statewide and state district candidates qualify with their party executive committee which forwards their names to the Secretary of State. Candidates running for state or state district offices as independents file directly with the Secretary of State.
Local candidates–those running under party label or independents–should file with the circuit clerk’s office at the county courthouse. They will declare if they are running as party candidates or as independents when they file with the clerk.
The 2023 elections are termed the “big election” as it entails those running for governor on the state level to constable on the local level.
While the state offices naturally are of interest, traditionally the most interest for Walthall countians comes in the local candidates for sheriff, chancery clerk, circuit clerk, tax collector-assessor, coroner and county prosecuting attorney.
Local district offices also generate lots of interest, primarily including candidates running for the five supervisor posts, then justice court judges, constables and election commissioners.
State district offices up for grabs include the district attorney, transportation commissioner and public service commissioner.
Plus, at the statewide level, voters will be choosing from candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state auditor, state treasurer, insurance commissioner, commissioner of agriculture and commerce, state senators and state representatives.
The first primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 8. If runoffs are needed, they take place during the second primary three weeks later on Aug. 29.
Primary winners from each party advance to the general election Nov. 7. Independent candidates will run for the first time in the general election.