The Canton Municipal Executive Democratic Executive Committee rejected the candidacy of a convicted felon who tried to run for Ealdorman.
Antonio Brooks attempted to qualify for the Ward 1 Eaderman Democratic primary. However, state law bars convicted felons from holding elected office. WLBT reported last night:
There were fireworks inside the boardroom at Canton City Hall Thursday night. Fireworks that had to be put out with a gavel to bring things back to order. All of this happened after the committee voted 4 to 2 to disqualify Antiono Brooks from running for an Alderman seat in this year’s upcoming election. It was an intense and heated meeting Thursday night inside the chambers at Canton City Hall.
Members of the Canton Democratic Executive Committee met to hear the challenges of candidates running for office in the Municipal Election in 2025. Of those candidates running was Antiono Brooks, who was vying for the Alderman seat in Ward 1. However, the committee learned that Brooks is a convicted felon and disqualified him at Thursday’s meeting. “He had been convicted of a third DUI, which by the state of Mississippi, that DUI cannot be expunged,” said the Canton Democratic Executive Committee. WLBT article & video.
Attorney Barbara Blackmon, who was there representing Brooks, claims the committee did not meet the deadline to disqualify her client according to Mississippi law. “It was not done according to the proper procedure,” said Blackmon. She even claimed that a member of the committee was a convicted felon themselves. “Were you not convicted of a felony? No, because mine is nondedicated and I have the paperwork here,” said Blackmon. “Do you need to see it since you are a lawyer?” Members of the committee say it’s important to adhere to the law when it comes to elections. “We cannot bend the law when we want to, we have to follow the law at all times. That’s the way I was raised. Sorry if I offended anyone, I don’t mean any disrespect but I have to follow the law,” said Shoney Harris, Chairwoman of the Canton Democratic Executive Committee.
Good for her. Nice to see someone standing up for the law. However, check out what Mr. Brooks told WLBT:
Brooks didn’t wish to comment on Thursday night but told reporter Chris Fields that he’s not a convicted felon.
Well, well, well, not so fast, my friend. Mr. Brooks might say he is not a convicted felon but the Leake County Circuit Court documents posted below say otherwise:
14 comments:
3rd Offense DUI shows an extreme lack of character.
So does 1st & 2nd, 9:24
Oh they'll let him run. That's the Canton way.
That's a shame. He would fit right in.
If you are not on probation anymore, it's like the felony never existed.
signed
chris epps
Barbara Blackmon - rules for thee but not for me or mine.
Caught 3 times means you are driving drunk on a regular basis.
Dang is this position so important to an individual that they need a Lawyer to get on the ballot?That right there would give me pause!
I know most Attorneys would not be bothered with that shigity.
Money, Money, Money! The fix is in!
I'm trying to decide who the 'liar' is. Blackmon, Antonio, the sitting alderman, the committee chair?
Rules? ....We don't need no stinkin' rules!
Canton = Mini-Jackson
D) all of the above
Barbara B commenting about Brooks... well there ya go. Nuff said. Someone tell her to go sit down.
Harper Valley PTA should be Canton's theme song.
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