Governor Phil Bryant has called the special election for the replacement of former Representative Toby Barker in District 102 and Representative Mark Formby in District 108.
Rep. Formby resigned from his seat around April 14, 2017. The special election will be held on July 25, 2017 and the qualifying deadline was June 5, 2017. In the event a runoff is needed that will take place August 15, 2017.
Former Rep. Toby Barker resigned from his position with House District 102 as he was elected Mayor of Hattiesburg. That election is scheduled for September 12.
The qualifying deadline is July 24. If no candidate receives a majority of votes cast on Sept. 12, a runoff will be held on Oct. 3. District 102 covers parts of Forrest and Lamar counties.
A special election has yet to be called to replace Alex Monsour. However, former head of the Medical Association, Dr. Randy Easterling has announced he will be running for the seat.
“I just wanted to thank Alex publicly for his 10 years of service that he has given us in the House of Representatives, and along those lines I would like to publicly announce my candidacy to complete his term in District 54,” said Easterling.
Representative Alex Monsour (R-Vicksburg) announced his retirement, effective July 2, from his District 54 seat after 10 years of service in the Mississippi House of Representatives.
On June 2, he was sworn in as the new South Ward Alderman for the City of Vicksburg.
“After reviewing the Attorney General’s opinion, I have decided to resign from my seat in the Mississippi House of Representatives,” said Monsour. “This was a tough decision for me to make, but ultimately it is the best thing for the citizens of Vicksburg and for me. By leaving the House, I will be able to devote all my time and energy to my new position as South Ward Alderman.”
Monsour had originally wanted to keep his seat in the House in order to help boost ports in Vicksburg and around the state, but ultimately a city ordinance called for his resignation from the House.
“I am very thankful of my time in the House and truly considered myself blessed to have served the citizens of District 54 in this capacity,” continued Monsour.
Monsour said that now the focus will shift to bringing down crime and expanding the Port of Vicksburg, as well as boosting the city’s infrastructure.
“We just recently had our water issue,” said Monsour. “We’re in a position now that if that happens again, we don’t want it to be like that. We want to have a more improved plan.”
In 2008, Monsour was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives. He is the current House Chairman of the Ports, Harbors and Airports Committee. Additionally, Monsour is a member of a number of committees including: Appropriations, Constitution, Gaming, Insurance, Judiciary B, Judiciary En Banc, Tourism and Transportation.
“I appreciate Representative Monsour and the years of service he has devoted in the Mississippi House,” said Speaker of the House Philip Gunn. “I am looking forward to see what he can continue to do for the City of Vicksburg in this new capacity.”
