Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Four candidates have qualified for the Aug. 23 election to a vacant seat in the Mississippi House.

The Secretary of State's office said the following candidates are running:

— A. Shae Buchanon-Williams, a Marine Corps veteran who has led groups that promote homeownership.

— Synarus Green, director of policy and intergovernmental affairs for the city of Jackson and the son of Hinds County Circuit Judge Tomie Green.

— Debra Gibbs, a lawyer and former member of the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission who is the wife of former Hinds County Circuit Judge Robert Gibbs.

— Theresa G. Kennedy, a businesswoman who is a former City of Jackson employee and credit analyst.

Qualifying for the House District 72 seat, which covers parts of Hinds and Madison counties, including parts of north Jackson, Ridgeland and Pocahontas, closed Monday.

Democratic Rep. Kimberly Campbell of Jackson stepped down at the end of May to become state director of AARP. She had been in the House since 2008.

A runoff, if needed, will be Sept. 13.

Candidates in special elections run without party labels, but they often tell voters their party affiliation.

The winner will fill more than three years of a four-year term.