KILMICHAEL — When longtime state Representative Bobby Howell heads to Jackson for the beginning of the Legislative session Tuesday, it’ll be the beginning of the last act of his lengthy career in public office.
The Kilmichael Republican announced in November that he won’t seek re-election when his term expires at the end of the year.
“I’ve never done that before, as far as saying I wasn’t going to be back,” Howell said. “I’m looking forward to retirement. It’s going to be kind of bittersweet. I have a lot of true friends I’ve met over the years and worked with. Certainly I’ll miss that but I’ll also enjoy the freedom.”
The 72-year-old pharmacist has represented all of Montgomery County along with portions of Leflore, Carroll, Grenada and Attala counties in the state Legislature since he was first elected in 1991.
Before that, Howell had served his hometown of Kilmichael as mayor for nearly 23 years.
“This next year will be 48 years in public office,” Howell said. “That’s a long time my wife and I have answered the phone.”
Throughout much of his time in public office, Howell was also the owner and operator of Kilmichael Drugs, a business that he sold in 2011 after 44 years.
Once his term in the state house ends Dec. 31, Howell said he’d like to go back to work part-time as a pharmacist and spend more time with his wife of 53 years, Charmayne.
Although qualifying for this fall’s election doesn’t open until Monday, at least two candidates have already announced their intentions to run for the District 46 seat that Howell’s retirement leaves open.
Ken Strachan, the Carroll County coroner and former mayor of North Carrollton, and Shed Hunger IV, a 2012 graduate of the University of Mississippi and the owner of Winona Dry Cleaning Co., have both declared their candidacy for the seat.
• Contact Bryn Stole at 581-7235 or bstole@gwcommonwealth.com.
