The most contested runoff on Tuesday, Aug. 27, in Forrest County has been for sheriff. The two Republican candidates involved in the vote, David Bassett and Charlie Sims, say things have to change.
Bassett won 5,786 votes of the 10,766 total for 49.52 percent – just short of the majority of 50 percent plus one vote – while Sims had 5,580 votes or 47.91 percent. Nick Calico finished third with 286 votes or 2.46 percent.
Bassett, who has been in law enforcement for 22 years, said he believes the sheriff’s department must rethink its methods.
David Bassett
“The first thing we are going to change is the way we do business,” he said. “We’ve got to get away from the traditional ways we do law enforcement because we have a lot of serious curves that are fixing to come to us. When I say ‘curves,’ I mean generation gaps."
Bassett said the sheriff’s department must be ready to face new challenges.
“Our county has gone through immense changes over the last ten years,” he said. “We have to adapt to it with a new administration, a new way of thinking, and a whole new culture.”
Sims, who has been in law enforcement for 38 years, also believes the culture of the sheriff’s department must change.
“That means I want one that geared toward courtesy, respect, and service,” he said. “I want to instill that in each of the employees, hold them accountable to it, and make sure they exhibit it each and every day.”
Someone “from the outside” would provide a new perspective on the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office, Sims said.
Charlie Sims
“As far as the Forrest County Sheriff’s Department goes, it is my belief that it is in need of new leadership with a new perspective from someone from the outside who can come in and objectively evaluate the department and make needed changes, changes that will take Forrest County to the next level,” he said.
Sims said drugs and crime are the top issues in Forrest County.
“That means we have to look at it from all sides,” he said. “That means we have to help the ones who are addicted to it, let them get help in community services, and then work cooperatively with Hattiesburg, Petal, and surrounding counties along with state and federal agencies to aggressively go after those folks. We have had too many young people who have died because of drugs, and it’s unacceptable.”
Two other candidates for Forrest County Sheriff – Kenny Johnson and Jerry Oswalt – are running as independents and will face the Republican Primary winner during the General Election on Nov. 5.
Also on the Democratic ballot is the runoff this Tuesday for state House of Representatives District 87, with William E. “Billy” Andrews against Joseph “Bubba” Tubb.
Additionally, included on the Democratic runoff ballot on Tuesday is the District 2 Supervisor’s race, which pits Charles Marshall against Sharon A. Thompson.
NOTE: Voters who did not go to the polls on August 6 can vote on August 27, and have the option of voting Republican or Democrat. If you voted Republican on August 6, then you must vote Republican on Tuesday. If you voted as a Democrat on August 6, then you must vote Democrat on Tuesday. You can vote for candidates of either party in November.