Tracey Rosebud, a black woman from Tutwiler, is Blake Ferretti, a white man from Cleveland. They will be competing in a special runoff election for the House seat that was left vacant by Robert Huddleston (a black Democrat). Officially, the race is nonpartisan. However, Rosebud is being supported by Democratic groups while Ferretti is being supported by conservative groups. Huddleston, who held the seat for 23 years, retired earlier this year. The district is 61% black. This district, which stretches from Shaw to Cleveland to Ruleville and up towards Clarksdale, was created in the 1990s to elect a black representative. Many in the district are wondering if Tuesday’s runoff election will see a white candidate for this seat. “This race matters because if Republicans can come in to win a 61 per cent African American district, then every African American seat will be contested in the Legislature by a Republican,” stated Rep. Chris Bell (D-Jackson) and member of Legislative Black Caucus. “No matter the percentage of African Americans living in that district, this would help them secure a larger majority within the House.” The special election held three weeks ago showed that both the Legislative Black Caucus as well as the House Democratic Caucus could lose a member. Ferretti received 43 percent of the vote, while Rosebud got only 22 percent. Both candidates received more votes than the two other candidates. However, neither candidate earned 50%, so the Tuesday runoff was necessary. Both candidates talked about the role race played in the election this week in interviews. Rosebud stated that most of her supporters aren’t oriented toward race. Rosebud said that it was primarily about the fact that most people knew I was passionate about seeing things change in this situation. We haven’t used themes about whether it should become a black or white district. I’m just trying to get my message across.” “When you play into the race element, you only cause division. Ferretti stated that if you are divided, it does not help anyone. “I am aware that the seat has been held since 1993 by a Democrat. Look at all those years. “I’d ask people the question: ‘What has been done in 23 year?’ Is it better today than it was 23 years ago?” This issue, however, has played a greater role than either candidate acknowledged. Edric Johnson, a Shaw resident and black voter, said that if Rosebud doesn’t win it would mean no candidate who would listen or follow the issues of the community. “It’s a big problem for me to have a candidate that won’t be fighting for those less fortunate. Johnson said, “We need someone who will fight for the less fortunate.” Johnson said that he is misinformed about our community’s issues. It can be difficult to understand others when you are in a particular circle.” Tommy Naron, a Cleveland resident, said that he feels like he is misinformed about the issues in his community. Blake is able to do more for the race than anyone. Naron said that Blake is enthusiastic about caring about jobs and opportunities. “Those three candidates, the black men, were great men but didn’t know what was important. Blake did his research. Blake had done his research from education to employment and economic development.” Two members of the Black Caucus, Sen. Sampson Jackson (D-Preston) and Rep. Earle Banks (D-Jackson), donated to Rosebud’s campaign. Sonya Williams-Barnes (D-Gulfport), chairwoman of Legislative Black Caucus, said that other members of the caucus had been present on the ground providing campaign support. Williams-Barnes stated that the district needs a representative who reflects the population of the district and who will vote on issues beneficial to the residents. Rosebud was an employee of Clarksdale Public Utilities until he was fired on May 4. He has received endorsements from the Mississippi Democratic Party and the House Democratic Caucus PAC. Rosebud’s employment status is now a source of fodder for political rumor-makers and opponents. Rosebud claimed that he wasn’t fired, but “suspended in pending a hearing” for a business relationship. However, he declined to elaborate. Christopher Campos was Clarksdale Public Utilities Clarksdale’s director of communications. He would not discuss details of the termination. Rosebud explained to Mississippi Today that the company has a policy that states that outside work requires paperwork. Rosebud said that she had an agreement with another employee. It was a business relationship they referred to and I’m confident that it will be sorted out at hearing.” Ferretti, who is a Bolivar County real-estate manager, has received endorsements or financial support by the Mississippi Realtors PAC as well as the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi. Ferretti is also close to conservative Empower Mississippi, which supports what it calls school choice. Ferretti was featured in a 2017 video that promoted a dyslexia-related policy. Ferretti’s wife also spoke at an Empower rally at Capitol 2018 about expanding school vouchers. Rosebud’s May 8 performance was hampered by the fact that Rosebud lost to William McClellan and Lester Williams, both black Democrats from Ruleville. This split would-be Democratic voters in three different ways. Williams won 21% of the vote and McClellan got 13%. Even for a special election held in late spring, turnout was shockingly low: only 2,283, or 9 per cent, of 24,000 district residents, voted. Ferretti stated that while he understood the numbers, he believes there is a lot of support from white and black communities. “People want a job, no matter who they are or where they come from. They want better lives for their children so that they can be successful as adults. “We’re not focused at all on the race issue.” Contributing Kayleigh Skinner: Support this work by making a regular donation today to celebrate our Spring Member Drive. This will allow us to continue important work such as this one.