Mississippi Advisory Opinions February 09, 2001: AGO 2001-0039 (February 09, 2001)

Advisory Opinion Text

Mr. Larry D. Quillen

Alderman Ward 6

201 North College Street

P. O. Box 1539

Brandon, Mississippi 39043

Re: Candidate for Office of Alderman

Dear Mr. Quillen:

Attorney General Mike Moore has received your recent letter in your capacity as an alderman for the City of Brandon and has asked me to respond. Your letter states:

I am requesting an opinion regarding whether an individual may run for the office of alderman while his or her spouse is an employee of the municipality.

Miss. Code Ann. Section 21-3-9 provides that an alderman of a code charter municipality must be a qualified elector of the municipality and that an alderman elected from a ward must be a resident of the ward. An individual who is otherwise qualified to be a candidate for the office of alderman of a code charter municipality may qualify for the office of alderman if the city employs his or her spouse as a firefighter. We would refer you to the Mississippi Ethics Commission for an opinion on state laws on ethics and conflicts of interest which may arise out of these facts. If we may be of any further assistance, please let us know.

Very truly yours,

Mike Moore, Attorney General

Alice Wise Special Assistant Attorney General