NATCHEZ — Adams County isn’t the only county to have a circuit clerk convicted of felonies to make it to a runoff.

Jefferson County Circuit Burnell Harris won 40 percent of the preliminary votes in Tuesday’s primary.

A federal jury found Harris guilty of three counts of embezzlement, two for money laundering and four for tax evasion, all of which were felonies.

Harris won 1,320 votes, or 40 percent, and his opponent Arnell Harrid, won 1,125 votes, or 34 percent, an employee at the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk’s office said.

Harris would not comment Thursday.

Harris’ sentencing date is set for Oct. 3.

Under Mississippi State Code 25-5-1, if a public officer is found guilty of a felony, he shall be removed from office.

Adams County Circuit Clerk M.L. “Binkey” Vines also looks to be in a run-off. Vines pleaded guilty in circuit court earlier this year to three counts of embezzlement. The other 10 counts of embezzlement were dropped. The judge withheld accepting Vines’ plea, which meant he could remain in office and run for re-election.

Before absentee and affidavit ballots, those used when a voter is not on the election rolls, Vines led by five votes. He won 2,375 votes, or 26.4 percent of the votes. Candidate Eddie Walker has 2,370 votes.

The other two contenders are close behind, with Donnie Holloway winning 2,216 votes, or 24.67 percent, and Wilbur O. Johnson wining 2,020, or 22.5 percent.