Mississippi Advisory Opinions July 18, 2014: AGO 2014-00275 (July 18, 2014)

Advisory Opinion Text

AUTH: Liz Bolin

SUBJ: County employees

SBCD: 53-A

TEXT: Mr. George Carmichael

Councilperson, Ward 4

City of Laurel

Post Office Box 647

Laurel, MS 39441

Re: County Employee Campaigning

Dear Mr. Carmichael:

Attorney General Hood is in receipt of your request for an official opinion and it has been assigned to me for research and reply.

Background and Questions Presented

In summary, your request states that you currently serve as Ward 4 Councilperson in the City of Laurel and you are seeking assistance regarding the questions you have about the county election. Specifically, you ask whether it is lawful for a county employee to campaign for an incumbent county candidate or against his challenger and if a statute prohibits such activity.

Response

Pursuant to Mississippi Code Section 7-5-25, the Attorney General is authorized to issue official opinions only to designated public officials and agencies on questions of law relating to their respective offices. Therefore, we are unable to respond to your request with an official opinion. For informational purposes, we are enclosing copies of Mississippi Code Section 23-15-871, MS AG Op., Warren (February 11, 2000), and Straughter v. Collins, 819 So.2d 1244 (Miss. 2002)

Please let us know if this office can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

JIM HOOD, ATTORNEY GENERAL.

Elizabeth S. Bolin, Special Assistant Attorney General.