Boyd Second to Toss Hat Into MS Senate Race

Local attorney Nicole Boyd announced her candidacy Tuesday for MS Senate District 9.
Photo provided

Oxford attorney Nicole Akins Boyd announced this morning her candidacy for the Mississippi State Senate in District 9 that serves Lafayette and Panola counties after Sen. Gray Tollison announced Monday he would not be seeking re-election.

As a Special Assistant Attorney General in the 1990s, she prosecuted and advocated for children and family issues with the Mississippi Attorney General’s office. While working for the Attorney General, Nicole led coalitions of private and public organizations that worked together to pass numerous state and local ordinances.

“With my legal education and experiences for the past 20-plus years, I am uniquely qualified to serve our communities in the Legislature and prepared to continue to fight for our children and families while building a stronger Mississippi,” Boyd wrote in her announcement statement.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Boyd helped establish and lead the organization that today has reduced Mississippi high schoolers’ frequent cigarette use by 88 percent, according to an email this morning announcing her intent to run for Senator.

Boyd, the mother of a child with special needs, has worked and advocated at almost every level of government on education and disability reform. On the federal level, Nicole has testified before Congress and successfully worked to get legislation passed. She has taught education law classes to our University students. 

Appointed by the Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and State Superintendent of Education, she has served and led numerous state educational, autism and early childhood boards and task forces. Boyd volunteers her time assisting the families of children with special needs on educational, vocational and insurance issues.

In Oxford, Nicole has served as chair of the Oxford Tourism Board, chaired the city’s Alcohol Safety Task Force and served on the Alcohol Sunday Sales committee. She also served on the board of a local community bank.  

Boyd, a Republican, grew up in Oxford and is a graduate of Oxford High School, Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi Law School. She is married to Dr. Daniel Boyd, a physician and small business owner.  They have two children Izzy, 17, and Speight, 14.  Nicole is the daughter of the late Lafayette County Extension Home Economist Joyce Akins and former educator and state representative for Lafayette County Noal Akins.

The election qualification period began on Jan. 2. As of this morning, Boyd and local attorney and Lafayette County Supervisor Kevin Frye, Democrat, have qualified to run for the District 9 Senate seat.

Hottytoddy.com staff report