Thursday, January 22, 2026

Who Wants to be a Judge?

Correction: JJ erroneously reported Judge Hannan is retiring when in fact he qualified to run for re-election. Apologies. 

Here comes the judge but who will it be?  We love having elections in Mississippi and this year is no exceptions as judicial elections are scheduled for November.  Although most incumbent judges in the Jackson metro-area are running unopposed, there are still a few surprises.  

What is interesting is in Rankin County, Circuit Judge Bradley Mills has not yet qualified for re-election.  Governor Reeves appointed Judge Mills to the position when Judge John Emfinger was elected to the Court of Appeals. Attorneys Scott Gilbert of Dibiase trial fame and Sarah Moulder Butler threw their hats in the ring as they vie to replace the Reeves appointee. 

Twentieth District (Rankin & Madison counties) Circuit Judges Dewey Arthur and Steve Ratcliff qualified for re-election.  

Rankin County voters get to elect a new Chancellor as Chancellor John McLaurin is retiring from the bench after years of distinguished service.  Bo Agnew and Jon Powell qualified for the election.  Let's hope they can fill Judge McLaurin's shoes.  Incumbent Chancellors Haydn Roberts and Troy Odom are running unopposed.  



There might be a Battle Royale (without cheese) in Madison County as Madison County Assistant District Attorney Todd McAlpin is taking on incumbent County Court Judge Ed Hannan. County Court Judge Stacy O'Neal runs unopposed. 

Despite all the noise, Hinds County judicial elections are fairly quiet.  Circuit Judges Winston Kidd, Debra Gibbs, Adrienne Wooten, Damon Stephenson and Faye Peterson are running unopposed.  The Street Committee said Judge Gibbs probably would not run for re-elction but here she is, standing tall and standing proud. 

None of the Hinds County Chancellors face opponents as Dewayne Thomas, Crystal Wise-Martin, Tiffany Grove, and Tametrice Hodges all qualified for re-election.  

Madison County (11th District) is going go have a little scrum in Chancery races.  Chancellor James Walker is not running for re-election so attorneys Gene Berry,  Alan Rhea, and David Bridges qualified for this seat on the bench.  Long-time Madison County Chancellor Cynthia Brewer will face attorney Rhonda Cooper in November as she fights to retain her seat.  



18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Judge Gibbs needs to run for retirement. Most incompetent judge to ever sit in Hinds County, possibly the state.

Anonymous said...

@9:44 AM The most incompetent judge award would go to Tomie Green when she was a judge in Hinds County.

Anonymous said...

She barely shows up for court and has two other judges do her job most of the time.

Anonymous said...

Funny, isn’t it, how no matter had bad or stupid or incompetent a sitting judge may be, few to none of the courageous lions of the bar can be counted on to take a stand and run to remove the bozo’s magisterial robes.

Anonymous said...

Hinds County ... A World of Difference ... and A Very Special Place!

Anonymous said...

David Bridges would be an excellent choice for Madison County. He is a skilled attorney who actually cares for people. Having him on the bench would be a win in my book!

Anonymous said...

@9:52am - Nope. I didn’t think it was possible to be more incompetent than Green, but Gibbs has proved me wrong.

Anonymous said...

Someone, anyone, needs to run against Gibbs. Anyone would be an improvement.

Anonymous said...

Nah it needs to be Judge Wooten . She is the absolute worst

Anonymous said...

Judge Thomas is OK and Grove is the smartest Judge in Hinds County bar none. That's the good news. The other two Chancellors and a couple of judges in circuit are walking judicial complaints. No opposition? Sad.

Anonymous said...

Waiting for the comments! I'm happy to see this article!

Anonymous said...

Anyone who can't properly pronounce the word "ask" should not be a judge. Looking at you A Wooten.

Ben said...

KF, but what do the judges call a Whopper?

Anonymous said...

The problem is that most of these judgeships do not pay very much. Competent attorneys earn much more than those judgeships and choose that route. The only lawyers running for a lot of these judgeships are those having trouble making financial ends meet.

Anonymous said...

She is the worst!!!! And her court admin is a joke.

Anonymous said...

Why do you keep allowing these racist comments calling African American Female Judges “the worst” bcuz thats fucking racist you piece of shit! You couldnt even get elected dog catcher in pisgah!

Anonymous said...

1:51 I believe it's because their inactions and merit prevent them from being call "the best". Again, being horrible at your job is not based on race, but when you do a shitty job, you are "the worst".

Anonymous said...

@154:pm - They are literally terrible at their jobs. They also happen to be black women. Peterson is good, Kidd is ok when he’s awake. Gibbs and Wooten are worthless. Happy now?


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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