Chief Justice Jim Smith of the Mississippi Supreme Court has appointed Circuit Court Judge Ann Hannaford Lamar of Senatobia to hear the suit over Greenwood's mayoral election.
The jury case had been set for earlier this year, but Mississippi Court of Appeals Judge T. Kenneth Griffis recused himself. Griffis said he had a potential conflict of interest.
The suit stems from the June 7 citywide election for mayor.
On election night, Sheriel Perkins, a longtime member of the Greenwood City Council and a Democrat, appeared to have won the mayoral election by 201 votes.
Two days after the election, the Greenwood Election Commission certified Republican Harry Smith as winner by six votes. The commission said errors by election workers accounted for the change.
Smith has served as mayor since 1993. Perkins seeks to become the first African American and the first female mayor of Greenwood.
Perkins filed a complaint in Circuit Court shortly after the election. In the legal filing, she asks the court to declare her the legal winner of the election or to order a new election between her and Smith.
Today, Smith acknowledged the judge's appointment. "I'm sure she's well-qualified." Perkins couldn't be reached for comment.
