Jackson Free Press

The Mississippi Republican Party endorsed three candidates running for judicial offices in the Mississippi Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals.

Supreme Court Candidates:

• Kenny Griffis, District 1, Place 3
• Dawn Beam, District 2, Place 2

Court of Appeals Candidate:

• Jack Wilson, District 3, Place 1

Judge Kenny Griffis currently serves as the presiding judge over the state Court of Appeals. He is challenging current associate justice James "Jim" W. Kitchens, who has been in the Mississippi Supreme Court since 2009.

Associate justice Dawn Beam was appointed to the Mississippi Supreme Court in February to replace former Justice Randy Pierce, and she is now running for a permanent spot on the high court. She is a former tenth district chancellor running against McComb lawyer Michael T. Shareef.

Judge Jack Wilson was appointed to the Court of Appeals in 2015, by Gov. Phil Bryant, and now he is running to keep his spot. The District 3, Place 1 race is a three-way challenge. Madison County court judge Ed Hannan and Ridgeland lawyer Dow Yoder are also running for the spot.

Gov. Phil Bryant said the judicial races are extremely important, in a press statement endorsing the three candidates.

"We have a strong slate of judicial candidates this year who represent conservative values that will resonate with voters in all corners of our state," he said in a statement. "Their experience and dedication will serve Mississippi well. I am confident that each of these candidates will promote a fair and effective justice system in Mississippi."