Like father, like daughter?
Angela Turner Lairy, daughter of state senator Bennie Turner, D-West Point, has announced she will run in the Jan. 15 special election to fill the seat left vacant by her father’s death Nov. 27, Lairy told the Dispatch Wednesday.
“First and foremost, my father’s death was unexpected and it was a shock to all of us,” Lairy said. “I talked with my family and they are supportive of my decision to run for my father’s seat. I feel my father had some unfinished business and I want to help see some of these projects to completion.”
Lairy was re-elected as Clay County prosecutor in 2011, a position she has held for seven years. She is also a former prosecutor for the City of West Point and an associate in her father’s law firm, Turner and Associates in West Point. She will be running as a Democrat.
“I think I can bring my experience as a prosecutor and my knowledge of the district to best serve the people of the 16th District,” Lairy said.
West Point City Attorney Orlando Richmond has also been rumored to be running for the seat. Richmond could not be reached for comment Thursday morning.
On Wednesday, Gov. Phil Bryant called for a special election to fill the 16th District Senate seat Turner had held since its creation in 1997. The election will be held Tuesday, Jan. 15. A run-off, if necessary, will be held on Feb. 5. Qualifying for the election is limited to residents of the district. The qualifying deadline is Dec. 17.
Lowndes County Circuit Clerk Haley Salazar said the 16th District includes portions of Lowndes, Clay, Noxubee and Oktibbeha counties. In Lowndes County, the district extends into District 4, including a portion of the Coleman precinct, the entire Crawford precinct, the entire Plum Grove precinct and a portion of the Townsend Park precinct. In District 5, it includes the entire Artesia precinct and a portion of the Hunt precinct.
Jeff Clark was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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