Jackson Free Press

In an interview with Better Mississippi Report yesterday, Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler said she might consider running for state auditor in the 2011 statewide elections. "For the first time I'd like to wait and see what does happen with the auditor's position," Butler told Better Mississippi. "I only will walk through a door ... (if) I feel that's where I'm supposed to be. Nothing has moved me for 30 years, and I have to have a calling."

It's unclear what it would take for Hawkins Butler to feel moved enough to run, and it's even harder to imagine leaving her post as mayor after so many years. Last year, Craig Denson, her first challenger in 16 years, withdrew his name from the city's mayoral elections. The Municipal Republican Executive Committee raised questions about Denson's eligibility after he failed to mark a box on his application for candidacy, but later determined he could still run. Shortly after the incident made headlines, Denson withdrew his name.

Last year, the Madison County Journal reported that Hawkins Butler has not had an opponent since 1993 when she defeated Suzan Rowland 2,292 to 587. The race for state auditor might be a bit more of a challenge than she is accustomed to.

Previous Comments

ID

160217

Comment

She may have snowball's chance, but that's all.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-10-06T22:33:39-06:00

ID

160218

Comment

Oh brother....here we go....

Author

Queen601

Date

2010-10-07T07:42:13-06:00

ID

160221

Comment

If Hawkins decides to run, will she have to give up her position as Mayor? What happens to this political giant if she is defeated? If she should become State Auditor, does this mean that we can start ordering uniform bricks for all State agencies? Just asking.

Author

justjess

Date

2010-10-07T09:00:41-06:00

ID

160222

Comment

And all the streets will be made of cobblestone. Heck, I'm surprised all the streets in Madison aren't cobblestone or paved in gold.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-10-07T09:28:24-06:00

ID

160223

Comment

... fake gold, golden. Or perhaps brass.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2010-10-07T09:42:37-06:00

ID

160224

Comment

At least the streets in Madison don't tear your car up.

Author

bill_jackson

Date

2010-10-07T09:56:48-06:00

ID

160225

Comment

Y'all are both wrong. It's bullsh1t. Definitely Faux Italian Bullsh1t.

Author

Lori G

Date

2010-10-07T11:08:13-06:00

ID

160227

Comment

....yellow brick roads....and the Mayor is the Wizardess of Oz....

Author

Queen601

Date

2010-10-07T12:04:52-06:00

ID

160232

Comment

I don't think yellow would complement the town.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-10-07T13:52:06-06:00

ID

160237

Comment

Qualifications? Is this an issue to her candidacy at all? State Auditor is a technical position and it would seemingly require actual experience at "being an auditor". But, politics are politics.....

Author

Mr Fat Back

Date

2010-10-07T14:45:41-06:00

ID

160244

Comment

Bill, I'm assuming you don't drive on Highland Colony in Madison.

Author

chip

Date

2010-10-08T08:27:13-06:00

ID

160245

Comment

Actually, Chip, I ride my bicycle quite a bit on Highland Colony; the new pavement is very nice.

Author

bill_jackson

Date

2010-10-08T09:11:03-06:00

ID

160249

Comment

You must not be talking about the stretch of Highland Colony between 463 and Lake Castle Rd. Unless they have paved it in the last month, that stretch of road has been awful for years.

Author

chip

Date

2010-10-08T11:54:21-06:00

ID

160251

Comment

Qualifications? Is this an issue to her candidacy at all? State Auditor is a technical position and it would seemingly require actual experience at "being an auditor". But, politics are politics..... I've sometimes wondered about this. I do know that to be an attorney general, you do have to have a law degree. I wonder if this is the same for law enforcement in terms of education and/or direct experience.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-10-08T12:29:47-06:00

ID

160252

Comment

Golden- Here's a list of qualifications and dutiesfor each office in Mississippi. http://www.sos.ms.gov/links/ed_pubs/pubs/2010 State and County Directory/Executive Branch.pdf Qualifications: The State Auditor must be a qualified elector, at least 25 years old, and a resident of the state five years next preceding the day of election. The State Auditor is elected to a four-year term and may succeed himself in office. The qualifying fee is $200. No prior experience as an auditor required.

Author

BubbaT

Date

2010-10-08T12:44:21-06:00

ID

160253

Comment

Mary, Mary might be eyeing a position from which she thinks she could launch a gubernatorial run from in the future.

Author

redlion

Date

2010-10-08T15:12:31-06:00

ID

160255

Comment

I think Mary Hawkins will make a great auditor and even governor. She will make the state pretty just like Madison the city. Run Mary and never stop.

Author

Walt

Date

2010-10-08T16:39:44-06:00

ID

160398

Comment

I doubt she would run for Auditor. She's having too much fun as the Sovereign of Madison the City.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2010-10-17T07:54:00-06:00

ID

160400

Comment

Thanks, Bubba. Since I don't need any prior experience, maybe I'll run for state auditor. How 'bout it, guys?

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-10-17T09:50:21-06:00