Embezzlement charges didn’t stop Circuit Clerk M.L. “Binkey” Vines from qualifying to run in November’s county elections.

With more than a month left until the deadline, Vines and two others have qualified for the position.

A grand jury indicted Vines on 13 charges of embezzlement of funds in September. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment.

Vines was out of the office and did not return calls Friday.

Running against Vines are City Clerk Donnie Holloway Wilbur O. Johnson.

Holloway said he started thinking about running for the office a few months ago.

“I just felt like my six-and-a-half years as city clerk and my record of service qualifies me for the important position of circuit clerk of courts,” Holloway said.

Being a city clerk, he said he was already accustomed to some of what the circuit clerk’s office requires, but other duties are different. Both handle records, voting registration and finances, he said.

Holloway said his managing style might differ from the current clerk’s, too.

“I’m sure there would be some things that I would change if I were elected,” he said. “Everybody has their own individual way of managing things, and I’m sure there would be some changes I would make.”

Johnson was a little more forward about what changes he would make.

“My goal is to bring integrity to the office,” Johnson said. “I’m dedicated to bringing honesty to the office. Due to some events that have taken place, in order to maintain the level of improvement coming to Natchez, we need to make sure we’re recognized as an upstanding and fine community. And I thought it was necessary to start with the circuit clerk’s office.”

Johnson, who worked in the circuit clerk’s office from 1992 to 2000 under the previous clerk, said he felt his experience would help him.

Johnson said he would first try to establish a better system of voter registration by improving communication between election commissioners and the circuit clerk’s office.

“I love Natchez, and I want to see no tarnish on the image of Natchez,” he said. “I’m going to help in any way I can.”

Adams County voters had mixed opinions as to whether they thought Vines’ charges would affect their votes.

Natchez resident Donn Williams said he wouldn’t vote for Vines because of the charges against him.

“I don’t think anybody in public office ought to run with charges against them, whether they’re guilty or not,” Williams said.

He said he would likely vote for Holloway instead.

“(Holloway) is a very respectable gentleman,” he said. “He’s done an outstanding job.”

Natchez resident Marra Jones said Vines had her vote.

“I like his whole persona, how he runs his office,” Jones said. “He respects people as an individual, one-on-one. He’s out in the community all the time. I like that about him.”

Jerry Ogden, an Adams County resident, said he would wait to get more information before he decided how to vote. He said he’d reserve judgment until a jury had made theirs.

“When they have a trial and a verdict, I’ll make a decision,” Ogden said.