Barton readies to become district attorney in January
Photo: Mathew Barton with wife Megan and daughter Eleanor as Barton announced his candidacy for District Attorney. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
Matthew Barton became the first elected Republican District Attorney to represent DeSoto County when he claimed the Republican primary on Tuesday, Aug. 8, outpolling Robert “Bob” Morris by a 60-40 percent margin. Morris was appointed last September by Gov. Tate Reeves to fill the remainder of the late John Champion’s term.
As Republican primary winner, Barton is assured of election in the November general election with no Democrat on the ballot.
Barton ran strongly on the theme of stopping Memphis crime from coming into DeSoto County, a theme that resonated well with the voters, using the message, “Stop Memphis, Save DeSoto.” Barton added his conservative stance spoke well with the voters in the conservative county he now will represent.
“Progressive DA’s unprecedented leniency toward criminals is threatening the safety and security of our communities like Mississippi, and our great nation,” Barton said. “It is allowing the darkest of crimes to grow – like child sex trafficking – and I believe is part of what helped us succeed on election night.”
Barton will become the District Attorney for the 23rd Judicial District which consists solely of DeSoto County. Prior to this year, the county was part of the 17th Judicial District, a multi-county jurisdiction.
He takes the District Attorney’s office to prosecute after being part of the Little and Barton PLLC criminal defense law firm in Hernando, where Barton lives with his wife Megan and daughter Eleanor.
Barton does have prosecutorial experience as an intern in the District Attorney’s office and then serving as prosecutor for the City of Southaven and the City of Horn Lake. He has been serving as a special prosecutor for Southaven, Horn Lake, and DeSoto County Justice Courts.
