WEST POINT — Two familiar names were struck from the ballot Tuesday by the Clay County Democratic Executive Committee.
Former mayoral candidate Harold Lathon and community activist Jesse Ivy lost their bids to run for chancery clerk and District 5 supervisor, respectively.
Lathon was cut because the information he turned in to the Democratic Party was not sufficient to prove residency in Clay County.
“It does not suffice. We don”t have anything that really says he lives in Clay County,” said Pat Cannon, chair of the DEC.
Cannon said Lathon submitted a bank statement and his driver”s license, which features a West Point address, but produced no further documentation. A homestead in Clay County was found in his sister”s name, but did not mention Lathon.
Ivy was disqualified from running for District 5 supervisor because he previously qualified to run for sheriff as an independent. The Clay County Election Commission will determine today whether Ivy, District 5 supervisor candidate James “Rock” Crawford, and District 2 constable candidate Johnnie Collins meet the requirements to run as an independent.
Ivy qualified Feb. 23 for the sheriff”s race as simply “Ivy,” with no first name.
State code bars individuals from running for two offices in the same election cycle.
District 4 supervisor candidate and current Ward 3 Selectman Charles Collins said Tuesday he received an attorney general”s opinion stating he does not have to forfeit his selectman seat if he loses the primary or general election for the supervisor seat. He may campaign while serving as selectman and will only be forced to resign that office if he wins a spot on the county board.
Collins said he wants to “move on” with his political career and believes the county has more resources to serve the community. He has two cousins also seeking county offices: District 2 constable candidate Johnnie Collins and District 2 supervisor candidate Phillip Collins.
Charles Collins” two cousins seeking county office in the same election is a coincidence, he said.
“I actually haven”t spoken to either one about what their plans are,” Charles Collins said.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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