Hale wins superintendent

Lela Smith Hale was elected Marshall County superintendent of education in a runoff race Tuesday.

Unofficial totals from Tuesday night showed Hale with 1,656 votes and Carrie Skelton with 1,144.

“I prayed for God’s will,” said Hale, after celebrating with a group of supporters at the courthouse. “God has a plan, and His plan is always the best plan.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to lead our children in our county.”

The special election was necessary after the resignation of Jerry Moore just prior to the start of this school year.

Senate Bill 2438 was signed into law earlier this year by Gov. Phil Bryant. It requires that all Mississippi school superintendents be appointed (by local school boards), rather than elected, but that doesn’t take effect until 2019.

In the runoff for Marshall County School Board, District 2, Robert J. “Bob” Barry was the winner. He received 426 votes. Incumbent Harvey L. Garrison had 302 votes.

County results in the race for Supreme Court Justice, District 3 (Northern) Position 1, were Bobby Chamberlin, 1,843, and John Brady, 1,007. That race, districtwide in north Mississippi, was undecided at press-time.

Circuit clerk Lucy Carpenter reported an extremely low voter turnout for the runoff election Tuesday. Only 3,263 ballots were cast, which translates to a 14.7 percent turnout.