Gov. Tate Reeves has named Hernando attorney Russell B. Jordan as the new DeSoto County Court judge. The governor’s office announced the appointment Monday, Oct. 19. Jordan will take the bench on Nov. 1, 2026, filling the seat left open when County Court Judge Craig Treadway was appointed circuit judge for the 21st Circuit Court District.
Jordan now serves as the acting county prosecutor for both DeSoto County and the City of Hernando. Under the governor’s announcement, he will hold the county court seat until voters fill it in a special election next November.
Who Is the New DeSoto County Court Judge?
The governor’s office says Jordan has practiced law for nearly two decades. He has handled a wide range of civil and criminal cases and has tried cases in state and federal courts across the South. His public service in DeSoto County includes:
Acting county prosecutor for DeSoto County
Acting prosecutor for the City of Hernando
Former prosecuting attorney for the City of Horn Lake
He earned his law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mississippi State University. He is licensed to practice in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
“Russell’s extensive courtroom experience, commitment to the rule of law and record of public service have prepared him for this important role,” Reeves said in the announcement. The governor added that Jordan’s background as a prosecutor and civil litigator “makes him exceptionally qualified for judicial service.”
Why the Seat Opened
The vacancy follows Judge Craig Treadway’s move up to the circuit bench in the 21st Circuit Court District, which serves DeSoto County. Treadway is also on the Nov. 3 general election ballot for Circuit Court District 21, Place Two, where he is running unopposed, according to the county’s candidate listing.
Because Jordan is an appointee, he will serve only until the seat is filled by a special election, which the governor’s office says will be held next November.
What DeSoto County Court Handles
County Court is a busy part of the local justice system. In Mississippi, county courts handle youth court matters, civil cases up to a set dollar limit, and certain criminal matters, such as preliminary hearings and misdemeanor appeals. That makes the court central to many cases involving families, juveniles, and residents of Southaven, Olive Branch, Horn Lake, Hernando, and the rest of the county.
Jordan’s move to the bench also means DeSoto County and the City of Hernando will need someone else to handle the prosecutor duties he now performs. The governor’s announcement did not address who will take over those roles.
Key Dates
Oct. 19, 2026: Gov. Reeves announces the appointment
Nov. 1, 2026: Jordan’s term as county court judge begins
Nov. 3, 2026: General election, with circuit, chancery, and county court races on DeSoto ballots
November 2027: Special election to fill the county court seat
