Reeves appoints Brad McCullouch as Hinds County district attorney

Gov. Tate Reeves appointed Brad McCullouch to serve as district attorney for the Seventh Circuit Court District, which covers Hinds County, the governor’s office said. The appointment fills a vacancy created by the resignation of former District Attorney Jody Owens after his guilty plea in federal court on June 29, 2026, the release said.

Reeves called a special election for Nov. 3, 2026, and set the qualifying deadline for candidates at Aug. 20, 2026, the governor’s office said. The release said the winner of the special election will serve the remainder of the term.

“Everyone knows the criminal justice system in Hinds County is far from perfect, but I am convinced the rank-and-file assistant district attorneys who serve Hinds County do an admirable job prosecuting criminals,” Reeves said in the announcement. He said the appointment was intended to limit disruption and maintain continuity in prosecutions.

The governor’s office said McCullouch has served in the Hinds County District Attorney’s Office since 2023 as an assistant district attorney and most recently as first assistant district attorney. Senior Circuit Judge Winston Kidd temporarily appointed McCullouch to lead the office during the transition on July 1, the release said.

The governor’s office said McCullouch has practiced law for more than 20 years. He rejoined the Hinds DA’s office in 2023 after five years as director of commercial aviation at Hinds Community College and has served as a special assistant attorney general and as an assistant district attorney in Texas and in Mississippi’s Fourth Circuit Court District. He earned a J.D. from Mississippi College School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi College, the release said.

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