Reeves Appoints Brad McCullouch Hinds County District Attorney; Special Election Set for November 3
Gov. Tate Reeves has appointed Brad McCullouch to serve as District Attorney for the Seventh Circuit Court District, which covers Hinds County, the governor's office announced July 10. The appointment fills the vacancy created by the resignation of former District Attorney Jody Owens upon his guilty plea in federal court on June 29.
Reeves also called a special election for November 3, 2026. The qualifying deadline for candidates is August 20, and the winner of the special election will serve the remainder of the term.
McCullouch has practiced law for more than 20 years and currently serves as first assistant district attorney in the Hinds County office, which he rejoined as an assistant district attorney in 2023. He has previous experience as a special assistant attorney general for the state of Mississippi and as an assistant district attorney in Texas and in Mississippi's Fourth Circuit Court District. On July 1, Senior Circuit Judge Winston Kidd temporarily appointed him to lead the office during the transition.
“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, adding that after conversations with members of the community he believed the best course of action was “to limit disruption in the office's operations.”
McCullouch earned his J.D. at the Mississippi College School of Law and a B.A. from Mississippi College.