Mims Wins Runoff For District 1 Circuit Court

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A longtime public defender won Tuesday’s runoff for the District 1 Circuit Court seat.

Kelly Mims defeated Sadie Gardner in the race for the seat.  Mims decided to run when longtime District Court Judge Thomas Gardner announced he would retire at the end of this year.

Mims must now work on closing his private law practice, and prepare for his new position.

Mims says he is looking forward to help victims of crime, punish wrong doers and tackle the drug problem.

“I’ve got the empathy and compassion to help try and save a generation of lost children becoming drug addicts that are headed to prison, I hope to get into schools and help some 8th and 9th graders, I hope to try to use lesser alternatives such as pre trial diversion and drug interdiction and try to save some kids,” Mims said.

Mims will attend a school for new judges at the end of December.