Mississippi: Judicial elections in Mississippi continued much of the status quo, with only two new judges joining the higher courts. The state’s Supreme Court elected a new justice, and re-elected three previously-sitting justices. The Mississippi Court of Appeals elected one new judge, and chose to re-elect one.
The Mississippi Supreme Court will welcome a new justice come January: Josiah Coleman. Coleman earned his seat by defeating Richard T. Phillips, garnering 58% of the state’s votes. He will fill the District 3, Position 3 seat. The three incumbents on the ballot, Leslie King, Mike Randolph, and William Waller up for re-election for the state’s highest court were all returned to office.
Only two seats on the Mississippi Court of Appeals were up for grabs in 2012. Incumbent Eugene Fair, who occupies the District 5, Position 1 seat, was re-elected after running unopposed. Ermea Russell, however, was the state’s only judge to lose their seat, after being defeated by Ceola James 37% to 63%. Russell has held the seat since 2011, after being appointed by Governor Haley Garbour. For James, however, the third time was the charm. It was James’ third attempt to gain a seat on a higher court in Mississippi. In 2008 she lost her bid for a MS Supreme Court seat, earning only 10% of the vote. Later, in 2010 she lost to Tyree Irving for a Court of Appeals seat.
Finally, at the Chancery Court level, Ronald Doleac retained his seat. He has held that seat since January 13, 2012.
For more information on this year's judicial elections in Mississippi, see: Mississippi judicial elections, 2012.
