Mississippi Advisory Opinions February 18, 1993: 19930218 (February 18, 1993)

Advisory Opinion Text

Mayor Randy Waller

Town of Shubuta

Post Office Box 416

Shubuta, Mississippi 39360

Re: Utility District Employee as Municipal Candidate

Dear Mayor Waller:

Attorney General Mike Moore has received your letter of request and has assigned it to me for research and reply. Your letter states:

“I am writing to request a written opinion on the following case:

Name: Willie Bee Nelson

Shubuta, Miss.

Employer: Chickasawhay Natural Gas Office

Shubuta, Mississippi

Mr. Nelson is an employee of the Gas District which is a political sub-division. Mr. Nelson is a service man for the District in Shubuta and he is wanting to run for the Board of Aldermen for the Town of Shubuta.

Is there a conflict with this. I would appreciate an answer as soon as possible as there is a deadline to qualify to run for the Board.”

We find no prohibition in State law against an employee of one political subdivision being a candidate for an office of another political subdivision. If the individual described in your letter is elected and continues as an employee of the Utility District there could be questions of conflict of interest which should be addressed by the State Ethics Commission prior to any official action by said individual.

Sincerely,

Mike Moore, Attorney General.

Phil Carter, Assistant Attorney General.