Jackson Free Press

When Hinds County voters go to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 5, they will not simply select some guys to fill a pair of empty seats on the board of supervisors—they will chart the county's course for at least the next two years.

Of course, political campaigns are often peppered with the rhetoric of destiny, but in this case, it's actually true.

Here's why: Right now, on the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, board President Robert Graham and Vice President Kenneth Stokes run the show. Along with interim District 2 Supervisor Alphonso Hunter, the three men have the votes to do whatever they want on spending as well as on hiring and firing of employees.

All that could change in November, when the District 2 seat is up for grabs. That race pits Hunter against longtime public servant Darrel McQuirter. The board selected Hunter as a temporary replacement for the late Doug Anderson on the condition that he would not seek to hold the seat permanently, but he later reneged on that promise.

McQuirter, who is on a leave of absence from overseeing the county's planning and zoning division and has served as the city of Clinton's fire chief, won a grueling Democratic primary. McQuirter, came out on top of a field of nine Democratic opponents to make it to a runoff in which the powerful U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson and Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba endorsed his opponent. He said during the primary that, at least, he knew who his foes were.

Hunter's candidacy, however, consists of several unknowns.

"You've already flipped the table on me once," McQuirter said of Hunter, who professes to be a Democrat but is running as an independent in the District 2 race. When asked whether Hunter's party flip-flop is reason to distrust him, McQuirter offered: "I don't trust him. That's up to the people (whether to trust Hunter)."

Hunter has the support of Stokes, who, along with his wife, Jackson Councilwoman LaRita Cooper-Stokes, have created an effective turnout machine in Ward 3, part of which lies in Hinds County's District 2. Hunter did not respond to messages the Jackson Free Press left at his county office.

District 2 represents a crucial swing vote on the county, in which Stokes and Graham are often allied and the District 4 supervisor allies with Peggy Hobson Calhoun of District 3. Interim District 4 Supervisor Robert Walker, the former Vicksburg mayor and a current Byram resident, also vowed not to seek the position permanently and is sticking by his pledge. The district, which encompasses parts of northwest and southwest Hinds County, is considered the county's only Republican stronghold. Phil Fisher, who took over as mayor of Clinton in July, previously held the seat.

The lone Republican is unlikely to push through big-ticket legislation on the board. But Fisher's approach helped bring transparency to the county's financial dealings, and he took stands against what he characterized as unnecessary spending. Tony Greer, a Clinton alderman, also considers himself a fiscal conservative, but dismisses the role party affiliation plays in running the day-to-day operations of the county.

"We're not talking about immigration reform here. We're talking about managing the people's money," Greer told the Jackson Free Press.

"You'll see a lot of fiscal conservative ideas coming from me. I suspect that if I need to forge some relationship, there are some opportunities in this race, particularly in District 2."

Greer is referring to fellow Clintonian McQuirter, who drew criticism during the Democratic primary for being cozy with Republicans, particularly Fisher and former Clinton Mayor Rosemary Aultman—McQuirter's former bosses when he was a city employee.

McQuirter calls that effort a misinformation campaign, but admits that it probably helped his opponent, Willie Earl Robinson, with voters who did know much about McQuirter.

It remains to be seen whether those charges matter in his bid against Hunter. Another wild card going into the November election is the recently retired public-works manager and Democratic nominee in District 4, James "Lap" Baker.

Baker, who also resides in Clinton, delivered a series of powerful performances during the primary, but could meet a brick wall in District 4 against Greer, who touts support from a list of heavy hitters in the Mississippi GOP, including Speaker Philip Gunn.

See the Jackson Free Press' coverage of the Hinds County supervisor's race at jfp.ms/2013supervisorcandidates.