A Louisville Democrat is now seeking election as District 35 state representative.
Patrick Warner, a 34-year-old veteran firefighter and post-secondary instructor, is the only Democrat thus far to qualify in the district. He hopes to unseat Republican incumbent Joey Hood, 38.
District 35 includes portions of Attala, Choctaw, Webster and Winston counties.
Warner, who said he recently joined the Starkville Fire Department, teaches fire science and emergency management classes at Meridian Community College. He said education issues would feature prominently in his campaign platform, in part because several of his family members are also teachers.
In fact, he said his view on education is why he is running as a Democrat for a Republican-held seat.
“Democrats hold more to my beliefs, especially in education,” Warner said. “It will make it difficult to run as a Democrat in this district, but I believe people want to see change. I think they’ll vote for the person and not the party. That’s the way it should be.”
Hood, of Ackerman, serves on the Apportionment and Elections, Banking and Financial Services, Judiciary B, Public Health and Human Services, Public Utilities and Universities and Colleges committees.
The Dispatch could not reach Hood for comment before press time.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.