We have only eight days left of qualifying for the 2015 elections and frankly, I find the lack of candidates at both the local and state levels rather worrisome.
As of today, Wednesday, Feb. 18, there are nine county offices where the incumbent remains the lone qualifier. Neither of our representatives in the legislature have an opponent thus far, nor do three of the top four elected offices in state government.
Joel McNeece
This lack of entries, and interest, is continuing the disturbing apathetic trend of the national electorate.
Here in Calhoun, we have only 10 total candidates running for supervisor right now, the leading governing body of the county. One incumbent, Sup. Tony Morgan, of Vardaman, is unopposed entering the final week of qualifying.
Having to do taxes once a year is enough to turn most away from the tax assessor position, where incumbent Bill Malone deals with it 365 days a year, but it’s still surprising how few candidates show interest in the position year after year.
Similarly, Coroner Jerry Fleming is serving in an important position that I know I wouldn’t want any part of personally.
But then there’s circuit clerk, justice court judges, constable, county attorney and school superintendent that all remain with only the incumbent among the qualifiers.
Make no mistake, I’m not arguing for challengers because I believe the people in these positions have necessarily done a poor job. It’s just unhealthy for so many important positions to go unchallenged.
Rep. Jim Beckett is one of the best friends I have in this world. Sen. Russell Jolly, of Houston, has done an outstanding job of representing Calhoun County in district eight, but both of these positions are too critical to be left uncontested. Good leadership in government needs competition, debate, open discussion of issues and an involved electorate.
Gov. Phil Bryant still doesn’t have a Democratic challenger this year. This says a lot more about the inability of the Mississippi Democratic party to field a viable candidate than it does the job performance of my fellow Southern Miss alum, but it’s nevertheless very concerning. Someone will enter the race near the end of qualifying, but the fact that it’s not likely to happen until the final day says a lot about the viability of the potential challenger.
Politics obviously plays a role in qualifying with some always waiting to see every one else’s moves before jumping into a race themselves. We’re seeing a lot of that at the state level this year with more posturing than qualifying taking place thus far.
Hopefully, by the end of the day next Friday, everyone from the courthouse to the governor’s mansion will have some kind of opponent and voters will actually get to make a choice when casting their ballot.
Email Joel McNeece at joelmcneece@gmail.com & follow him on Twitter @joelmcneece