Funeral director James Jefferson Jr. and former constable Rudolph Walker are headed to a Nov. 23 runoff after being the top two vote-getters Tuesday for justice court judge in Warren County’s central district.

Jefferson, appointed to the justice court bench last year following the resignation of Richard Bradford, took 36 percent of the vote among eight candidates who appeared on the ballot. Walker was second with 19 percent. The winner faces voters again next year, as the position is part of the state/county election cycle.

“I have to go out and beat the bushes again,” said Jefferson. “It just means that I am going to have to work a little harder.”

Despite the high turnout Tuesday, Walker indicated the inclement weather affected his vote total.

“Perhaps if the weather had been more appropriate, more people would have turned out,” Walker said.

Judges in justice court hear small-claims cases of up to $3,500, misdemeanor criminal cases and any traffic offenses occurring outside city limits. They also conduct bond hearings and preliminary hearings in felony criminal cases, and have the authority to issue search warrants. Justice court judges are not required to possess a law degree, but they must complete state training.

The race drew a number of current and former law enforcement officers, including Walker, Vicksburg police Sgt. Beverly Prentiss and retired police Lt. Dora Smith. Prentiss finished third, with 16.7 percent, and Smith came in fourth, with about 11 percent. LeVern Powell, who said in September she wouldn’t continue her campaign, was on Tuesday’s ballot and received 51 votes.

Court of Appeals Judge Tyree Irving’s vote tally mirrored the congressional race, in that he was re-elected to the appellate court’s District 2 but dropped Warren County to Vicksburg attorney Ceola James. Unofficial returns had Irving with about 66 percent of the districtwide vote, but James carried Warren County with around 60 percent.

Local judicial races that are part of the federal midterm election cycle in Mississippi were decided months ago in Warren County when no challengers qualified.

Circuit Court judges Isadore Patrick and M. James Chaney and Chancellor Vicki Roach Barnes were re-elected without opposition for their respective posts in Circuit District 9, which covers Warren, Issaquena and Sharkey counties, and Chancery District 9, which includes those plus Humphreys, Sunflower and Washington counties. County Court Judge Johnny Price was also re-elected without opposition.