Mississippi Advisory Opinions March 22, 1983: 19830322 (March 22, 1983)

Advisory Opinion Text

Mr. Larry K. Otis

Executive Director

Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District

P. O. Box 915

Tupelo, Mississippi 38801

Dear Mr. Otis:

Attorney General Bill Allain has received your opinion request and has assigned it to me for research and reply, your letter of request stating:

“It has come to my attention that an employee of Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District may be considering the possibility of running as a candidate for the Board of Supervisors of a member county of the District.

“My question is whether or not an employee of the District could continue in employment while, at the same time, that person is a candidate for elected office of a member county.”

In the absence of District personnel rules to the contrary, a District employee would not under state law be required to resign as an employee prior to becoming a candidate for county supervisor as long as he fulfills the duties of his employment and did no campaigning whatsoever while on duty in his employment. Yours very truly,

Bill Allain, Attorney General.