A look at the Republican primary candidates for New Albany Alderman seats

All seats on the New Albany city board are contested in next week’s primaries

All five seats on the New Albany Board of Aldermen are in play in the primary elections to be held next week, April 6th.

There are contests in the Republican primary for four positions and in the Democratic primary for one seat.

This article concerns those candidates running for alderman in the Republican Primary.

Other articles this week will cover the race for mayor in the Republican primary and the Democratic primary race for Ward Three alderman.

Alderman-at-Large

There are no alderman-at-large candidates in the Democratic primary.

The winner of the Republican race between Conlee and Knox will face Independent J. Lynn West in the June general election. There are no alderman-at-large candidates in the Democratic primary.

Keith Conlee, incumbent

The incumbent alderman-at-large is Republican Keith Conlee. The alderman-at-large represents all citizens in all four New Albany wards.

Keith Conlee, Republican Alderman at Large candidate.

Conlee is completing his first four-year term on the city board. He is a native of New Albany, a graduate of W. P. Daniel High School and of the University of Mississippi, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing.

Keith Conlee has been employed for 30 years as a sales executive with McKesson Corporation, a national healthcare company.

Conlee said in a statement to NEMiss.News, “I have appreciated the opportunity and responsibility New Albany citizens gave to me four years ago to serve our great city. My first term has provided the experience to perform the duties required of the office of alderman. If given the opportunity to serve in this role for a second term, I will use this acquired knowledge to continue to fulfill the duties to the best of my ability. In my time serving in this position, I have come to understand that strong leadership and communication skills are necessary. A leader must hear others’ differing thoughts, ideas and opinions while leading them in achieving a common goal. Being a leader, you must make decisions, even when those decisions might not be the most popular.

“I am excited about the future of our city. During my first term as Alderman at Large, the “New Albany Next” city plan was established under the guidance of the Orion Group. This plan includes projects for improvement for now and the future. “New Albany Next” focuses on reviewing current ordinances, developing residential properties, improving infrastructure, continued focus on promotion of downtown, industrial and retail growth, developing the Tallahatchie Riverfront and many other things that will allow New Albany to continually grow and prosper.”

Jeff Knox

New Albany native Jeff Knox is challenging incumbent Conlee in the Republican primary for alderman-at-large.

Jeff Knox, Alderman-at-Large candidate in the Republican Primary.

Knox graduated from W. P. Daniel High School and joined the United States Marine Corps (USMC) in 1981.

Knox is referred to in U.S. military slang as a “mustang,” a serviceman who joins the military as an enlisted man, serves as a non-commissioned officer and then advances to become a commissioned officer. Knox possessed a high security clearance as a Marine officer.

After mustering out of the USMC, Knox served for 13 years as a deputy sheriff for Los Angeles County, California. Knox observed that the LA sheriff’s office is the largest law enforcement organization in the world. During his last eight years with the Los Angeles sheriff, Knox served as a goodwill ambassador for the department, doing liaison work with police departments around the world.

Knox still owns businesses in California he acquired while living there. He has been a member of the Republican Party for many years.

Since moving back to New Albany, he as worked as a deputy sheriff for Jimmy Edwards. Knox has an adult son, who works for the Internal Revenue Service in Memphis, and a daughter, who works as a graphic designer at Morehouse College in Atlanta.

Knox said he decided to run for alderman-at-large, “Because it gives the opportunity to take care of everyone in the city.

“As a public official you open yourself up to the public for their ideas.

“We need to give our young people more to do, more basketball courts and so forth, more ways to spend their energy in positive ways.”

Ward One Alderman

 Republican Amy Livingston was elected to the Ward One seat on the Board of Aldermen in 2017. She decided after one term not to run again, so it is an open seat. The winner of the Republican primary for Ward One alderman will face Independent candidate Parks Smith in the June general election.

Those seeking the Republican nomination for Ward One Alderman include:

Mark Bishop

Mark Bishop was raised in Myrtle and graduated from Memphis Bible College with a degree in religious education.

Mark Bishop, Republican candidate for Ward 1 Alderman

Bishop said he has lived in New Albany for over 40 years. As a young adult, he worked in Union County in the funeral business for a couple of years. He then went to work at Victory Church and Victory Christian Academy. He became pastor of Victory Church in 2004.

“I just feel like we need good quality leadership that’s had experience in dealing with the public of New Albany,” Bishop said, “someone with a ‘boots on the ground’ approach. I deal with a lot of parents because of the academy.

“I see and hear the day-to-day business of New Albany more than people who stay in an office all day.”

Bengie Foley

Judith Bennett (Bengie) Foley is a native of New Albany and says her family has lived in Union County since the 1830s.

Bengie Foley, Republican candidate for Ward 1 Alderman

Foley graduated from W. P Daniel High School and then attended Blue Mountain College. She graduated from the University of Mississippi with major in interior design and minors in art, business, and marketing.

Foley worked in Tupelo for six years in corporate interior design. She has been a life and health insurance agent for 31 years.

“I love New Albany,” says Bengie Foley. “This is my home.

“I saw it when it had so many empty buildings downtown. A lot of people had vision of what New Albany could be. Now it has improved significantly.

“I want to be sure we do not miss the opportunity to make the next move that makes us what we can be.”

William Ashley Kidd

Ashley Kidd says he is a life-long resident of Union County and grew up in the Keownville community.

Ashley Kidd, Republican candidate,  Ward 1 Alderman.

He graduated from W. P. Daniel in 2001 and then attended Northeast Community College, studying marketing management. He then worked at the Walmart Distribution Center for five years.

Kidd graduated from the police academy at Mississippi Delta Community College in 2009, then worked for the Mississippi Department of Corrections as a felony probation officer, 2009-2011. He worked as a deputy with the Union County Sheriff’s Office until October 2013 and then served as an officer on the New Albany Police Department.

For the past six months, since September 2020, Kidd has worked as an insurance agent for the Pam Brown Agency in New Albany.

He has served on the board of Oaks Country Club for two years.

“My love for public service is deep,” Kidd told NEMiss.News. “I love my community.”

Kidd was the Republican nominee for Union County Sheriff in 2019, but was defeated in the general election by incumbent Sheriff Jimmy Edwards. He pledged not to run for sheriff in 2023, if elected as Ward One Alderman.

One Democrat, Jessica Winston, is running for the Democratic nomination for Ward One alderman, Winston will face the winner of the Republican primary in the general election Tuesday, June 8.

 Ward Two Alderman

 Johnny Anderson, the effective and long-serving alderman for Ward Two, decided not to seek re-election. Thus, it is an open seat. Three candidates are running in the Republican primary for the Ward Two position.

David “Drew” Horn

Drew Horn grew up in Booneville in neighboring Prentiss County, but says he has deep roots in New Albany and Union County. His great-grandfather, Leon Jackson, was an owner of the livestock sale barn on the east side of New Albany.

Drew Horn, Republican candidate for Ward 2 Alderman

Horn graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in criminal justice and a business minor, intending to go to law school. However, he got a part-time job his junior summer at Ole Miss working in physical therapy at a nursing home. He liked the work and decided to pursue it as a career.

After getting his BA from Ole Miss, he then graduated from the physical therapist assistant program at Itawamba Community College.

He worked as a physical therapist for several years, then became a licensed insurance agent with Globe Life last year.

Horn is also active as an owner and manager of three nutrition businesses: Tallahatchie Nutrition in New Albany, Topper Nutrition in Blue Mountain and Golden Nutrition in Holly Springs.

Horn says previous New Albany city boards have done, “Tremendous ground-work for the last several years.

“I want to be sure to keep that going,” he said. “I want my children to live and work in New Albany. I want New Albany to be a destination for all ages.”

Jim Dale Gann

Jim Dale Gann is a Republican candidate for Ward Two Alderman. He is 40 years old and lives on Longview Drive in New Albany. Although we made numerous attempts at the phone number he furnished to the city clerk, we were not able to make contact with Mr. Gann and cannot at this time furnish our readers with any additional information about him.

DOB: September 16, 1980, Age 40. No photo available.

Adam Hardy

Adam Hardy is 36 years old and lives on Ray St. in New Albany. As with Mr. Gann, we made numerous attempts to contact Mr. Hardy for additional information, but thus far he has not responded.

We are reliably informed that Hardy is employed by the Bank of Holly Springs and that he owns a retail gun store in New Albany. However, we do not have that information from him. We will furnish more information about candidate Adam Holly if it becomes timely available. No photo is available.

Two candidates, Gary Edwards and Tim Johnson, are seeking the Democratic nomination for Ward Two alderman. Later this week, NEMiss.News will publish additional information about candidates in the Democratic primary

 Ward Three Alderman

No Republicans are seeking the party’s nomination for Ward Three alderman. Incumbent Ward Three Alderman Kevin Dale White is challenged in the Democratic primary by Penny Johnson Blissett. More information about candidates in the Democratic primary will be published by NEMiss.News later this week.

Ward Four Alderman

Will Tucker

Will Tucker, Republican candidate, Ward 4 Alderman

Will Tucker is running in the Republican primary for a third four-year term on the New Albany Board of Aldermen. He graduated from New Albany High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Mississippi.

He is the owner/operator of The Windshield Doctor in New Albany.

“Serving as Alderman is a great responsibility that I do not take lightly,” said Tucker.“ I will continue to always be available to listen to constituents’ concerns or recommendations. I am dedicated and eager to serve the citizens of New Albany and to continue being a contributing factor in the growth of New Albany. I love New Albany and genuinely care for the welfare of the community.”

Diane M. Jones

Diane Jones is one of Will Tucker’s challengers for the Republican nomination for Ward Four alderman. A native and long-time resident of Holly Springs, she and her husband moved to New Albany when they retired in 2008. She says that, as a retiree, she can devote her full attention to the alderman job.

Diane Jones, candidate for Alderman in Ward 4

Jones worked for over eight years as a management trainer for Holiday Inns. She served as Executive Director of Public Housing in Holly Springs for more than ten years.

Jones says she is running for Ward Four alderman, “Because it is time that New Albany moves to the next step to ensure growth and quality of life for our residents.

“The conditions in some of our residential areas are in great need of help,” and, she says, “Affordable housing for young, first time homeowners and retirees is missing from New Albany.

“New Albany has many things to commend it to business, tourists and new residents.  We have wonderful medical facilities, great places to eat and shop, and good parks and recreational opportunities.  City leaders have done a wonderful job of attracting business, promoting tourism and maintaining a viable downtown area.”

Ronnie Parker

Ronnie Parker is also challenging incumbent Tucker in the Ward Four Republican primary on April 6.

Fourth ward alderman candidate, Ronnie Parker

Although he was born in Okolona in Chickasaw County, Ronnie Parker moved to New Albany in 1981 when he was 22 years old.

Parker has worked in the wholesale grocery business most of his adult life. He started working for Union Grocery in 1985 and left when the company was sold in 2008. Since then he has been a salesman for wholesale grocer Corr-Williams, which is based in  Florence, AL. He continues to call on many of the same grocery stores in North Mississippi to which he has sold for the last quarter century.

Parker says, if elected as Ward Four alderman, he will retire from the grocery business and devote full time to his duties as alderman.

“We’re not getting things done any more,” says Parker. “The streets need work. I would like to see more businesses open on east side of town.”

Municipal primary elections are next Tuesday, April 6. Voters in all New Albany wards will vote at Community House, 307 Wilson Street. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.