Mississippi Judicial District 14 has elected a new district attorney, with Dewitt “Dee” Bates retiring at the end of the calendar year after 20 years in the office.

Lincoln County Assistant DA Brendon Adams threw his hat in the ring early to take the prosecutor spot for Lincoln, Pike and Walthall counties. He survived the Republican Primary to face Democrat candidate Patrick Earl Beasley. Beasley is Chief Assistant DA in District 22, and a former police officer. 

Tuesday, Adams won the race with 59 percent of the total votes in Lincoln, Walthall and Pike counties.

Adams won Lincoln County with 7,755 votes (69 percent) to Patrick Earl Beasley’s 3,463 (31 percent). Adams also took Walthall County with 58.7 percent. Beasley won in Pike County, with 50.3 percent of the vote there. 

“I am so humbled and so thankful for the outpouring of support I have been shown throughout my campaign, and at the polls today,” Adams said Tuesday night.

“I am grateful beyond words to be your next District Attorney. I promise to work every day for the next four years to make each of you proud,” he said. “Let’s work together to see our district become a safer place, so together we can thrive. Thank you again! This would not be possible without each of you. Now, to continue the pursuit of justice and accountability.”

Adams has been a prosecutor in the district for 17 years. He is a graduate of Mississippi State University and Mississippi College School of Law, where he earned a doctorate of jurisprudence. 

He and his wife Jessica have three children and live in Lincoln County.