Sojourner files election challenge

Published 12:47 pm Thursday, December 3, 2015

JACKSON (AP) — Republican state Sen. Melanie Sojourner is seeking to overturn her loss in the Mississippi election.

Sojourner filed a petition Tuesday with the state Senate, saying she believes voting irregularities should invalidate the Nov. 3 victory by Democratic former Sen. Bob Dearing.

Certified results show Dearing defeated Sojourner by 64 votes in District 37 which includes Adams, Amite, Franklin and Pike counties. Both are from Natchez, in Adams County.

Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves will appoint a Senate committee to consider Sojourner’s challenge. Following Senate precedent, he will make the appointments after the legislative session begins in January.

Sojourner’s petition says some Democratic poll workers gave unauthorized help to voters.

Dearing said Wednesday he believes the election was conducted fairly.

In 2011, Sojourner unseated Dearing after he had served 32 years.