Jackson Free Press

Darrel McQuirter survived a gauntlet of opposition from some of the Jackson metro's top political leaders to win the Democratic primary for Hinds County District 2 supervisor.

McQuirter, the county's planning and zoning director and former fire chief for the city of Clinton, edged out fellow Hinds department director Willie Earl Robinson of Bolton in yesterday's primary runoff.

Before the election, Robinson supporters accused McQuirter of having Republican ties based on McQuirter's relationships with Clinton GOP officials, including former and current Mayors Rosemary Aultman and Phil Fisher, respectively. Democratic Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba and U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson endorsed Robinson.

Now, McQuirter faces off against sitting District 2 Supervisor Alphonso Hunter, who is running as an Independent. Hunter, whom fellow supervisors named to replace late Supervisor Doug Anderson earlier this year, previously vowed not to run but changed his mind.

In District 4, which encompasses a parts of Clinton and Byram, James "Lap" Baker survived a challenge from Mike Maldonado for a chance to run against Republican and fellow Clintonian Tony Greer in November. Independent candidate James Ira Duke is also in the District 4 race.