Three new candidates have qualified to run for Oktibbeha County supervisor seats.
Clint McCain, Dennis “Denny” Daniels and Leonardo “Knot Knot” Thompson have entered the supervisor races for districts 1, 3 and 4, respectively.
McCain, who registered to run as a Democrat against incumbent District 1 Supervisor John Montgomery, said he wants to serve all of Oktibbeha County’s residents and to be a voice for District 1’s constituents.
While McCain said he views all issues as important, he said Oktibbeha County needs a special emphasis on its infrastructure.
“I think the group we have now, may have a little trust issue with the people of the county,” he said. “I want to earn that trust back and be part of a team the citizens of Oktibbeha County can be proud of.”
McCain is a Starkville native and a Starkville High School alumnus. He moved away briefly to Tuscaloosa but has been back for about 15 years. He now works as a regional warehouse manager for MaxxSouth Broadband — a position he’s held for about 14 years.
Thompson registered as a Democrat to run against incumbent District 4 Supervisor Bricklee Miller. Thompson is the second Democrat to file for the race, along with former District 4 Supervisor Daniel Jackson. Party primary elections are set for Aug. 6. Miller is a Republican.
Thompson said Oktibbeha County’s infrastructure — and its roads in particular — need work.
“Some of our roads are gravel, and in this day and age all of our roads should be paved,” Thompson said. “There are also a lot of bridge areas that need work. Some of them don’t even have safety railings. It’s a danger, not just to the county residents, but to all people who go through those areas.”
He said he also wants to see more opportunities for youth activities in the county and wants to work to make county employees feel appreciated.
Thompson is from Starkville and a graduate of the Starkville school system. He went to Austin Peay State University in Tennessee. He worked with the Starkville School District, where he coached football, for 10 years, and with the former Oktibbeha County School District for two years. He now works as a residential therapist in Winston County.
Thompson is also a captain with the District 5 Volunteer Fire Department.
Dennis “Denny” Daniels entered the District 3 Supervisor race to challenge incumbent Marvell Howard.
Daniels, a Republican and veteran of the Mississippi Army National Guard, has challenged Howard in the 2011 and 2015 District 3 elections. Howard secured a narrow victory in 2011, when he defeated Daniels by three votes. In 2015, he beat Daniels by a 970-923 margin.
Daniels is the second Republican to file for the District 3 race, after Golden Triangle Planning and Development District Director Rudy Johnson. Howard is a Democrat.
Daniels did not respond to Dispatch calls for comment by press time.
Party primaries will be held in May with the general election scheduled for November.
Deadline to qualify is March 1.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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