Two prominent southwest Mississippi political leaders may be in the running for prestigious presidential appointments in the new Bush administration. Adams County Sheriff Tommy Ferrell said he knew of the rumors about his name being mentioned as a candidate for U.S. marshal for South Mississippi.

He is flattered, he said, but he is not sure the timing is right for him should he be offered the position.

Fourth District Republican congressional nominee Dunn Lampton confirmed on Tuesday his interest in the U.S. attorney position for South Mississippi.

Lampton, district attorney for Copiah, Pike, Walthall and Lincoln counties, said he hopes he is among candidates being considered for the appointment.

Ferrell, who changed his political affiliation from the Democratic to the Republican Party in May, has been sheriff for almost 20 years and was re-elected to a new four-year term in 1999. What’s more, Ferrell is positioned to become president of the National Sheriff’s Association in 2002. He could not assume that position if he were not serving as a sheriff, he said.

&uot;I don’t want to end my career based on something that may not fulfill my career further,&uot; he said.

The U.S. marshal position, which he describes as a kind of sheriff’s role on the federal level, suits Ferrell’s interests. And he is flattered to be considered, he said.

&uot;I’m honored to be even mentioned in those circles,&uot; he said.

For now, however, many questions remain. &uot;That’s why it’s in the form of a rumor right now,&uot; he said.

&uot;I’m not going to be gone tomorrow,&uot; Ferrell said. &uot;I’m still the sheriff.&uot;

Lampton, on the other hand, eagerly looks forward to a possible appointment.

&uot;I talked with Sen. Cochran and Sen. Lott a long time ago about my interest,&uot; said Lampton, who lost to Democrat Ronnie Shows in the fall 2000 election.

Lampton said the timing of the presidential appointment would depend on when Mississippi Sens. Trent Lott and Thad Cochran, both Republicans, make their recommendation to President-elect Bush. Bush will make the decision on the appointment, which requires a Senate confirmation.

&uot;Of course nothing can be done until after the president is sworn in,&uot; Lampton said.

The position, one of two in the state, will be vacated by Democrat Brad Pigott, Lampton said.

&uot;Brad said he was ready to go back into private practice. He’s been U.S. attorney for South Mississippi for eight years now.&uot;

As U.S. attorney, Lampton would work on cases involving federal law and would occupy offices in the federal building on Capitol Street in Jackson.

&uot;Sometimes the U.S. attorney is called on to represent National Guardsmen, sometimes matters concerning the Indian reservation; and environmental concerns bring about a lot of federal cases,&uot; he said, citing some examples of the kinds of legal work he would oversee.

&uot;It would be an interesting job. It would be an honor,&uot; Lampton said.

&uot;There are only 100 in the nation. But I don’t know what will happen.&uot;

Lampton has been a prosecutor in the 14th Circuit District for 24 years.

In 1989 he was the first Republican elected district attorney in Mississippi and is serving his fifth term.

He has attracted media attention for his work in child support laws and drug enforcement.

A native of Osyka, he worked as a teacher prior to entering University of Mississippi School of Law, where he graduated in 1975.

He lives in McComb.