Newton County recorded an impressive 70% voter turnout in the 2024 General Election, with 9,260 of the county’s 13,146 registered voters casting ballots either in person or by absentee, according to Circuit Clerk Mike Butler’s office.
In the presidential race, former President Donald Trump secured a decisive victory within the county, receiving 71% of the vote, or 6,566 ballots. Vice President Kamala Harris followed with 28%, totaling 2,563 votes. Other presidential candidates, including Chase Oliver, Jill Stein, and Randall Terry, each garnered a small fraction of the votes, with minimal support for Shiva Ayyadura, Claudia De la Cruz, Robert Kennedy, Peter Sonsk, and write-in candidates collectively totaling 14 votes.
Local leadership for the Newton City School Board was also decided in this election. In District 1, Machell Walker Frazier emerged victorious with 67% of the vote (324 votes), defeating Heidi E. Armstrong, who received 33% (159 votes). In District 2, Raymond Boutwell won with 59% (304 votes), surpassing Jhaddaka Leverette’s 40% (203 votes). For District 3, Shannon Moore secured 58% (297 votes) against Christopher Meaders’ 42% (212 votes). In District 4, Jo Beth Bounds received 55% of the vote (241 votes), while Arthur C. Nelson Jr. received 45% (198 votes). The Newton County School Board also saw significant wins in District C, where Marty Lee McKee ran unopposed, receiving 99% of the vote (808 votes), and in District D, where Josh Sanders also secured 99% of the vote (1,208 votes), with both candidates facing only minor write-in competition.
Newton County voters showed a strong preference for incumbents in statewide races. U.S. Senator Roger Wicker received 72% of the county’s vote (6,578 votes) compared to challenger Ty Pinkins. In the U.S. House of Representatives District 3 race, incumbent Michael Guest garnered overwhelming support with 97% (7,980 votes).
The Mississippi Supreme Court District 1 Position 3 race, however, will proceed to a runoff between Jenifer B. Branning and Jim Kitchens. Branning led with 62% of the county vote (5,415 votes), while Kitchens followed with 21% (1,848 votes). The remaining candidates, including Byron Carter, Ceola James, and Abby Gale Robinson, each received between 5% and 6% of the vote, with write-in candidates contributing a modest 1% (56 votes). The Court of Appeals District 3 Position 1 race saw a near-unanimous result, with Jack Wilson securing 99% of the vote (8,044 votes), reflecting strong local support for the incumbent.
Newton County residents also voted for Election Commissioners in several districts, with each race delivering a clear majority for the incumbents. In District 1, Nancy Darlene Kidd Smith was re-elected with 99% of the vote (1,477 votes). Lesia Taylor similarly retained her position in District 3 with 99% (1,497 votes), as did Deborah L. Walker in District 5, also receiving 99% of the vote (1,477 votes).
The election demonstrated high community involvement in Newton County, with strong turnout across a range of races. For more local election coverage, follow the Newton County Appeal on Facebook or subscribe to stay updated on the latest results and insights from Newton County’s trusted news source.
