DeSoto County will have a new County Court judge beginning November 1 following an appointment announced by Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves.

Russell B. Jordan of Hernando has been selected to fill the court vacancy on an interim basis.

His appointment was announced Monday, October 19.

The position became vacant after former County Court Judge Craig Treadway was appointed to the 21st Circuit Court District.

Jordan will serve until voters choose a replacement in a special election scheduled for November 2027.

The appointment is a notable local government development for residents of Southaven, Hernando, Olive Branch, and the surrounding county.

County courts handle matters that affect people and businesses throughout the region, so changes in judicial leadership have practical implications.

Jordan has worked as a prosecutor and attorney with experience in civil and criminal litigation.

His public-service background includes prosecutorial duties in the DeSoto County area.

According to the appointment announcement, he has appeared in state and federal courts and has practiced law for nearly two decades.

He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law and also studied at Mississippi State University.

The governor cited his courtroom experience and record of public service in explaining the selection.

An interim appointment and an elected term are different. Jordan's service begins through the governor's action, while the scheduled special election will allow voters to select who holds the seat afterward.

Residents following local courts should watch for announcements about the transition, court schedules, and future election dates.

The change comes at a time of continued growth across DeSoto County, where local institutions are serving a larger regional population.

For 901 Daily's North Mississippi Watch, the appointment offers a useful update on civic leadership just south of Memphis.

The coming months will reveal how the transition proceeds as the county prepares for its next judicial election.