The runoff election in Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District will determine the Republican nominee to face Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson in the general election. Thompson has represented the district since 1993 and won by a significant margin in 2020. The Republican candidates in the runoff are Ron Eller, a military veteran and physician assistant, and Andrew Scott Smith, who has experience in pumpkin farming and commercial real estate. Thompson, who was unopposed in the primary, aims to focus on reducing prescription drug costs, investing in historically Black colleges, and addressing student loan debt.
Eller, one of the Republican candidates, supports the construction of a U.S.-Mexico border wall and expanding domestic energy production. Smith, the other candidate, has a platform that includes rejuvenating agriculture, rebuilding infrastructure, reinforcing the southern border, and advocating for more transparency in government. The 2nd district covers a diverse range of areas, stretching along the Mississippi River, through the Delta flatlands, and into the capital of Jackson. It heavily favored Biden over Trump in the 2020 election, with a 63% to 36% margin.
Eller received about 47% of the vote in the primary, while Smith received 36%. The runoff election will be crucial in determining who will ultimately face Thompson in the general election on November 5. Thompson, as the ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, has a focus on issues such as reducing student loan debt and ensuring that the wealthy pay their fair share to build up the middle class. The outcome of the Republican runoff will be closely watched as the candidates present their platforms to try and secure the nomination to challenge Thompson in a district that has historically leaned towards the Democratic party.
