The AM/DM podcast: Explaining the controversy over two new North Mississippi judgeships
DeSoto County Supervisor Robert Foster on Monday, March 2, 2026. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
Last year, the Mississippi state legislature created a new Circuit Court and a Chancery Court judge in DeSoto County. But, in doing so, lawmakers said that only a small section of county voters could elect the two new judges for those courts.
DeSoto County Supervisor Robert Foster argued the move was unfair — and racially motivated — and is now suing the state to eliminate the newly created subdistrict.
A federal judge heard arguments in the case last week and will soon decide whether the new courts will be allowed to stand as is — just weeks before voting starts in Mississippi for the 2026 general elections.
North Mississippi reporter Aarron Fleming joins us today to talk us through the issues in the case and how it could impact the Mississippi’s governor’s race.
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AM/DMMary Cashiola
Mary Cashiola has been a Memphis journalist for nearly two decades, beginning her career covering city government and local neighborhoods at the Memphis Flyer before being hired by Memphis Mayor A C Wharton’s administration.
Before joining The Daily Memphian, she was the managing editor of the Memphis Business Journal, which was named one of the top 10 Best Designed Newspapers in the world by the Society of News Design while she was there.
She also has a background in advertising, with a focus on higher education and the hospitality industry.
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