Jackson Free Press

As voters head to the polls for runoff elections Tuesday, several Hinds County positions are up for grabs, and incumbents are under fire on the Hinds County Board of Supervisors.

Incumbent Doug Anderson will face David Archie for the District 2 seat on the Hinds County Board of Supervisors. Both men are Democrats, and Anderson, 73, has held the seat since 1993.

Archie, 47, has run for several positions in Hinds County before, including Ward 3 councilman, Ward 1 councilman and Jackson Mayor. He said he wants to reduce property taxes and the price of car tags, and put tax incentives in place to encourage companies to move to the county.

The District 5 supervisor's seat already changed hands in the primary election. Kenneth Stokes, current Ward 3 City Councilman in Jackson, beat incumbent and board president George Smith, who has served as supervisor since 1980.

Archie said Anderson is not able to perform the duties of Hinds County supervisor, and said he has not been present in the community or available for interviews as he should be.

"His camp is just simply hiding him because they know he's unable to do the job," Archie said.

WJTV reported Friday that some are questioning whether Archie's primary residency is actually in District 2. Archie said he is not concerned about residency right now.

"What I'm concerned about is running this race on Tuesday," he said. "I am a legal, certified, resident of Hinds County District 2 ... and I will be on the ballot tomorrow for people to vote for."

Anderson could not be reached for comment.

Republicans Charles Barbour and Will Longwitz will also be on the ticket Tuesday, fighting for their party's nomination to represent state Senate District 25. The campaigns have recently caught in a fight on the Web over accusations of dishonest mailings and misleading phone calls.

Republicans Lynn Fitch and Lee Yancey will be in a runoff election for state treasurer, and Democrats Johnny Dupree and Bill Luckett will continue campaigning for the Governor's Mansion. For more on the DuPree and Luckett campaigns, see this week's JFP cover story on where the candidates stand on education.