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Ermea Russell
Ermea Russell was a judge for Position 2 of the Mississippi Court of Appeals District 2.
Russell (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Mississippi State Senate to represent District 22. She lost in the Democratic primary on August 6, 2019.
Russell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.
Russell was a judge on the Mississippi Court of Appeals (District 2, Position 2). She was appointed to this position by Gov. Haley Barbour on May 13, 2011 and was sworn in on May 20th. She replaced Justice Leslie King on the court and served until her term ended in January of 2013.[1][2] She stood for re-election on Nov. 6, 2012, but lost to her challenger Ceola James.[3]
Biography and Education
Russell received her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of West Alabama and her law degree from the Mississippi College School of Law.
She has also served in the U.S. Army Reserve since 1973 and has achieved the rank of Colonel.[1]
Career
Russell has worked as the Assistant Commissioner of Intercultural Relations at the Institutions of Higher Learning, as Chief Counsel to Lt. Gov. Eddie Briggs and as the Secretary of the Mississippi Senate. She was then appointed to the 7th Judicial District Court (Hinds County), where she served in 1998 and 1999. She then worked as senior trial attorney for the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission before becoming a private practice lawyer at the Russell Law Firm in Jackson, MS. She served on the Court of Appeals from May 2011 until January 2013.[1]
Elections
2019
See also: Mississippi State Senate elections, 2019
General election
General election for Mississippi State Senate District 22
Joseph Thomas defeated Hayes Dent in the general election for Mississippi State Senate District 22 on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Joseph Thomas (D) | 52.4 | 10,555 | |
| Hayes Dent (R) | 47.6 | 9,582 | ||
| Total votes: 20,137 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Terrence Edison Jr. (Independent)
- Calvin Stewart (Independent)
Democratic primary runoff election
Democratic primary runoff for Mississippi State Senate District 22
Joseph Thomas defeated Ruffin Smith in the Democratic primary runoff for Mississippi State Senate District 22 on August 27, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Joseph Thomas | 60.7 | 3,272 | |
| Ruffin Smith | 39.3 | 2,122 | ||
| Total votes: 5,394 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Mississippi State Senate District 22
Joseph Thomas and Ruffin Smith advanced to a runoff. They defeated Ermea Russell, Mark Buckner Sr., and Colton Thornton in the Democratic primary for Mississippi State Senate District 22 on August 6, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Joseph Thomas | 32.6 | 2,867 | |
| ✔ | Ruffin Smith | 21.1 | 1,856 | |
 | Ermea Russell | 20.0 | 1,761 | |
| Mark Buckner Sr. | 19.9 | 1,751 | ||
 | Colton Thornton | 6.4 | 563 | |
| Total votes: 8,798 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Vince Roberts (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Mississippi State Senate District 22
Hayes Dent defeated Dwayne Self in the Republican primary for Mississippi State Senate District 22 on August 6, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Hayes Dent | 69.3 | 4,274 | |
| Dwayne Self | 30.7 | 1,891 | ||
| Total votes: 6,165 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2012
Russell ran unsuccessfully for re-election against Ceola James and Latrice Westbrooks on November 6, 2012.[4][5] She was defeated by Ceola James in the general election, receiving only 37 percent of the vote.[3] Westbrooks was previously disqualified from running due to being from the wrong district.[5]
- See also: Mississippi judicial elections, 2012
Campaign themes
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Ermea Russell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Russell's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Education, Economic opportunities, Infrastructure
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Criminal Justice Reform. America incarcerates the greatest number of individuals of ANY COUNTRY in the world. American prisons and jails hold over 2.1 million individuals at any given time and almost every one of these individuals will return to their community once they have been found innocent or complete the sentence imposed for the violation of law. Mississippi averages slightly fewer than 20,000 daily under the supervision of the Department of Corrections NOT INCLUDING those being held in pretrial detention or misdemeanor conviction status in local jails. The system is swallowing our community bit by bit. The overwhelming number of those incarcerated are young African American men. We must find solutions to reduce crime generally and specifically violent crimes, along with the disparity in sentencing, bail, and overall treatment of African Americans when they come in contact with the criminal justice system at all levels.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
WHO: Barbara Jordan, former CongressWOman from Texas. WHY: Congressman was not perfect and never pretended to be but she never entertained those who chose to gossip. She grew up in a poor neighborhood but did not let that define her future. CongressWOman Jordan was a leader with a vision. Her victory making her the first Black woman to win a seat in the Texas legislature was not warmly received, yet she pressed on. I love her tenacity, her perseverance, and that she understood how to build coalitions to pass legislation.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
Unite and Conquer by Kyrsten Sinema
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Listening to the voters is critical. I believe that when you become a representative for the people, it is not about YOU. It is about those that had the faith and confidence in your leadership to cast their vote for you. Leaders should ensure that the voters have as much information on issues as possible to make informed recommendations. Be a person of your word and fight hard for things that are important to your constituency.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I understand that the process of legislating is not easy but I am not afraid of the hard work. Failure fuels me to do more. I am persistent and not afraid to keep trying until success is achieved. I will work with anyone who is willing to work with me to accomplish the mission at hand.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
To represent the people and the interest of the District from which you are elected. To accomplish some positive results for the people you represent in ways that touch their lives.
What legacy would you like to leave?
That I was able to get some significant positive changes in the Criminal Justice System. AND that the quality of life was improved within the district in those priority areas such as education, economic opportunities, Health Care Access, housing, food security, and Infrastructure/Investments.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The assassination of John F Kennedy. I believe I was third grade and still remember the deep sadness that engulfed our community.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My first job was while I was in college where I worked for a paper mill called Marathon Corporation, now International Paper. I worked summers and breaks (Christmas, Spring, etc.) I worked there over a three year period.
What happened on your most awkward date?
Wow. It was a blind date; a double date with a friend and her date. The guy, my date, did not know how to use his knife and fork to cut his meat. It was indeed a little awkward.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Thanksgiving. In my family, the youngest always gets to bless the food and everyone gets to say at least one thing they are thankful for on that day. Then we feast and tell tall tales, sharing memories and hopes for the future.
What is your favorite book? Why?
The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson. It moves me to greater understanding of why we sometimes respond as we do. It increases my resolve for change.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Storm is a superhero from Marvel Comics. She has natural leadership skills and formidable power. She is beautiful, strong, brave, powerful, and compassionate.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My bed. It allows me a comfortable place to rest and rejuvenate for the next challenge.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
The Center of My Joy--Ruben Studdard
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Telling my own story.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
Senate advice and consent of appointees to boards and commissions.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
The legislature is a lot about understanding the rules and the process. I believe that those who have worked in government have an easier transition to the legislative process. However, those who have no government experience can be successful as long as they are willing to take the time to learn.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Devotion to partisan politics instead of doing what is right and good for the best interest of the state overall.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Yes. One legislator cannot pass legislation. It is critical to build relationships and coalitions. Our people and our districts have more in common than differences Legislators should focus first on those things that can unite us and make a difference while working to understand those differences that often get in the way.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
Not a process only focused on partisan politics. Not a process of protecting incumbent lines. Draw lines that represent the states demographic as best possible so that all sections of the population are truly represented.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Representative Alyce Clarke who has been responsible for some significant pieces of legislation. She works to build coalitions and never gives up on those issues that are important to her and her constituents.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
No.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
Yes, a story shared by a young mother who worked but was concerned that she might have to leave her job because of lack of available child care in her community. Her husband was seeking work (his last job closed) but the only opportunities were over an hour drive. She was concerned that she would not be able to care for her family and did not want to accept government assistance. Most people who are able to work, want to work. The district needs more economic opportunities and investment in communities. We will work to find solutions.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2019 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mississippi Office of the Governor, "Gov. Barbour Appoints Russell to Mississippi Court of Appeals," May 13, 2011
- ↑ WLBT (Channel 3), "Swearing In of Judge Ermea J. Russell," June 27, 2011
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 16 WAPT News/Associated Press "Mississippi - Summary Vote Results"
- ↑ MS Secretary of State's Office 2012 Candidate Qualifying List
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Clarion Ledger, "Banks running for court," May 11, 2012
