Sumrall, Pickering to face off in Nov.

The Clarion-Ledger, 8/29/7

Mike Sumrall led a rough Democratic primary for state auditor late Tuesday that threw an odd racial twist into a political contest.

Late allegations by his opponent that Sumrall tried to convince black voters he was black did not appear to affect the shoestring campaign of the former audit agency worker.

Sumrall, who denied the accusations, defeated Todd Brand of Meridian in a race that was close much of the evening.

Sumrall will face Republican state Sen. Stacey Pickering, 39, in the Nov. 6 general election.