Mississippi high court welcomes 3 new justices

The Clarion-Ledger, 11/6/8

For the first time in recent Mississippi history, the state Supreme Court will welcome three new members.

“It’s one thing to fold in another person on the court,” said Matt Steffey, professor at Mississippi College School of Law. “It’s another thing to have a third of the entire court replaced.”

Voters on Tuesday turned away all three justices running for second, eight-year terms: Chief Justice Jim Smith lost to challenger Jim Kitchens, Justice Oliver Diaz Jr. lost to challenger Bubba Pierce, and Justice Chuck Easley lost to challenger David Chandler.

A fourth, Justice Ann Lamar, who was appointed last year by Gov. Haley Barbour, won her race.