By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
July 19, 2003
Meridian Fire Chief Bunky Partridge confirmed Friday that he has withdrawn from the race for Lauderdale County chancery clerk.
Partridge, who filed for the office as an independent, did so on the last day for qualifying in March.
His withdrawal means the chancery clerk's race will be decided by the Aug. 5 Republican primary election which pits incumbent Ann Wilson Hayes against challenger Wallace Heggie.
Partridge said his decision to drop out of the race was strictly personal. He said he wants to spend more time with his family.
Partridge withdrew from the election in writing by submitting a letter to the Lauderdale County circuit clerk's office.
Both Hayes and Heggie said Friday that Partridge bowing out has had no effect on their campaign strategy.
Hayes also said she has focused on one hurdle at a time going into the primary and would have concentrated on the general election later.
She too said she will continue attending functions and go door-to-door to meet the public through Aug. 5.
Both Heggie and Hayes said the greatest challenge in their campaigns has been finding the time to make contact with Lauderdale County voters.
Heggie, 59, is purchasing agent for the city of Meridian. He is a former county administrator, Meridian city manager and chief administrative officer.
Hayes, 63, is in her eighth year as chancery clerk. She has worked in the office for a total of 24 years as a deputy under four chancery clerks.
The chancery clerk serves as clerk to the board of supervisors and chancery court. The clerk also maintains land records, and serves as the county treasurer and county auditor. The chancery clerk keeps up with the county payroll, pays county bills, files chancery court cases and issues legal notices in divorces, estates, adoptions, guardianships and conservatorships.