Britton wins Republican nomination for PSC

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The latest on Mississippi primary runoff elections (all times local):

8:27 p.m.

Business investor Sam Britton has won the Republican nomination for the Southern District seat on the Mississippi Public Service Commission.

Britton, of Laurel, defeated state Sen. Tony Smith of Picayune in Tuesday's party primary runoff.

Britton will face Democrat Tom Blanton and Reform Party candidate Lonny Keith Spence, both of Hattiesburg, in the Nov. 3 general election.

The Public Service Commission regulates utilities.

The current Southern District commissioner, Steve Renfroe, did not run this year. Renfroe does not publicly identify with a political party.

4:30 p.m.

Voter turnout is light in some parts of Mississippi for party primary runoffs, with people choosing nominees for two state commissions, 12 legislative seats and several county offices around the state.

Grace Wallace, office manager for the Hinds County election commission, describes election day as "very, very, very slow." Hinds is part of the state's Central District, which has a Democratic runoff for transportation commissioner.

Turnout was heavier in places with local races, such as coastal Harrison County, where a Republican runoff will determine who will be sheriff the next four years. Becky Payne, a Harrison County election commissioner, says she is "pleasantly surprised" at a relatively strong turnout in many parts of the county.

In the Delta's Bolivar County, Circuit Clerk Marilyn Kelly says turnout was sparse for a Democratic runoff for sheriff, a supervisor's seat and a legislative seat.

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