LaMarca returns as Clinton Municipal Judge

By Randy Bell

     A retired federal prosecutor has been appointed municipal judge in Clinton after Will Purdie launched his campaign to be the City’s next mayor.

     “By state statute, a sitting judge is required to resign to run in a partisan election,” Purdie said following the October 1 Board of Aldermen meeting, during which Darren LaMarca was named to replace him as municipal judge.

     It’s a position LaMarca has held before, serving for five years beginning in 2002.  In 2007, he joined the United States Attorney’s Office and served as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, Chief of the Criminal Division and First Assistant U.S. Attorney.  In January 2021, he became Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi.  LaMarca served in that role until Todd Gee was sworn as U.S. Attorney in October of last year.  He retired on November 30.

     Purdie was named as Judge Steven Boone’s temporary replacement in 2022 when Boone took a leave of absence for a three-year church mission trip to Brazil.   Purdie has continued to serve as City Attorney.