Parker to retire from Senate, candidates file for open seat
Photo: A file photo of state Sen. Dr. David Parker speaking on the floor of the state Senate during the 2023 legislative session in Jackson. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
June 5, 2025 – An announcement from a DeSoto County state senator Tuesday means one of the newly drawn Senate districts representing the county will be up for grabs with new candidates.
District 2 state Sen. Dr. David L. Parker released a letter written to Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann to state that he would be retiring early from the Senate and not complete his four-year term. Parker’s district is among those forced to hold special elections to satisfy a federal lawsuit settled this spring. Winners in the special elections will complete the final two years of what otherwise would be a four-year term.
That opens the seat to challengers and as of Thursday night, there is one Republican and one Democrat who are seeking the seat. Southaven Alderman Charlie Hoots has filed qualifying papers on the Republican side and Olive Branch healthcare educator Theresa Gillespie Isom has qualified as a Democrat. Potential candidates have until Monday, June 9 to qualify and the parties have until June 13 to report their certified candidates to the Secretary of State. Those candidates will be on the Aug. 5 ballot. A runoff would be needed if no candidates reach a majority in the primary and the general election would be Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Hoots is in his second term as Ward 2 Alderman in Southaven, but was unsuccessful in a run for District 20 state representative in the 2023 general election, a seat won by state Rep. Rodney Hall (R-Southaven).
Isom has a background in healthcare education as an educator at the Delta Medical Center and is a retired nursing coordinator at the Tennessee Technology Center in Memphis. She has made two previous attempts at politics. She ran for House District 7 in 2019, where she lost to Steve Hopkins. She also unsuccessfully ran as a candidate for Ward 2 Alderman in Olive Branch in 2021.
In making Thursday’s announcement, Parker cited a desire to focus more fully on his family, medical practice, and new opportunities for service.
“Serving the people of Mississippi has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Parker said. “I am deeply grateful for the trust and confidence placed in me over the years, and for the friendships and partnerships that have come through public service.”
Parker moved into politics in 2012 when he ran in the special election to fill the then-Senate District 19 seat of Merle Flowers, when Flowers resigned from the position. Parker defeated then state Rep. Pat Nelson in a runoff for the seat in 2012. Parker ran unopposed in 2015 when his seat became District 2. He survived a Democratic challenge from Lee Jackson in 2019 and outpolled Democrat Pam McKelvy-Hamner by a 56.6-43.4 margin in 2023.
The owner of Olive Branch Eyecare, Parker has two additional locations with Horn Lake Eyecare and DeSoto Family Vision in Southaven. His decision to retire will allow him to return more fully to his practice and provide greater support to his staff and patients.
Parker also shared in his announcement that the recent passing of one of his childhood friends and a founding surgeon in his eye care practice weighed heavily in his decision.
“Their loss has served as a powerful reminder of how precious our time is, and it reaffirmed my desire to devote more intentional time to my family and to the next chapter of life,” Parker said.
The Olive Branch Republican noted among his successes in the Legislature his involvement in achieving a major milestone for DeSoto County in the state’s approval of $119 million in funding for the widening of I-55 between Goodman Road and Church Road.
“This is the largest state-funded road project ever awarded to DeSoto County,” Parker said. “It represents countless hours of work, collaboration, and advocacy, and I am proud to see this critical infrastructure project move forward to serve our rapidly growing community.”
The senator said he will continue to function actively in the office through the special election and the official end of his term.
“I will continue working diligently during this transition period to serve my constituents and ensure a smooth handoff to my successor,” Parker said.
BLACKWELL, BLACK ALSO IN THE RUNNING: Candidates who have qualified for the state Senate seats in DeSoto County include one other Democrat and a total of three Republicans, two of which will be running against each other in the primary. That’s according to information the respective parties have provided to DeSoto County News.
Olive Branch cosmetologist and business owner Dianne Dodson Black, who has failed in two efforts to unseat U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly, has filed as a Democrat for the Senate District 19 seat of Republican Sen. Kevin Blackwell, who has filed for reelection to the seat.
Meanwhile, State Sen. Michael McLendon (R-Hernando) has filed for reelection in Senate District 1 and is being challenged by Hernando-area businessman Jon Stevenson.
Democratic or Republican Party information has not mentioned Senate District 11, which includes Elmore, Horn Lake High School, Evansville, Sarah, Strayhorn, and Pritchard, then south into Tunica and Quitman counties to include Clarksdale and Marks areas.
Parker’s letter to Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann is available here:
