Mississippi is gearing up for the upcoming U.S. House elections with three contested races and one incumbent set to win another term without any opposition in the general election. In the 1st Congressional District, Republican Rep. Trent Kelly is facing off against Democratic challenger Dianne Dodson Black in a rematch of the 2020 race, which Kelly emerged victorious. Kelly, a former district attorney, has been serving in the House since winning a special election in 2015, and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. Black, a business owner, is advocating for President Joe Biden’s economic policies, restoration of abortion rights, and restrictions on access to semiautomatic rifles. Kelly’s campaign has raised over $1.2 million and spent approximately $893,000, while Black’s campaign has raised around $9,400 and spent about $7,400.
In the 2nd Congressional District, Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson is facing Republican challenger Ron Eller. Thompson, a former mayor of Bolton and Hinds County supervisor, is the longest-serving member of Mississippi’s current congressional delegation, having first won a special election in 1993. He currently serves as the ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee and chaired the committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Eller, a military veteran and physician assistant, previously ran unsuccessfully for the 2nd District Republican nomination in 2020. His platform includes supporting the construction of a U.S.-Mexico border wall and the expansion of domestic energy production. Thompson’s campaign has raised and spent just over $1 million, while Eller’s campaign has raised nearly $48,000 and spent about $17,800.
Republican Rep. Michael Guest in the 3rd District, which covers central Mississippi, was unopposed in both the primary and general election. Guest, a former district attorney, was first elected to the House in 2018 and currently serves as the chairman of the House Ethics Committee and vice chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. In the 4th District of south Mississippi, Republican Rep. Mike Ezell is facing Democratic challenger Craig Elliot Raybon. Ezell, who had a 42-year law enforcement career including eight years as Jackson County sheriff, was elected to the House in 2020. He has voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and to end military assistance to Ukraine. Raybon, a first-time candidate, is focused on increasing the minimum wage, expanding vocational training programs, and lowering prescription drug prices. Ezell’s campaign has raised and spent about $1 million, while there is no campaign finance information available for Raybon according to Federal Election Commission records.
Overall, the U.S. House elections in Mississippi are heating up with competitive races and diverse platforms from the candidates. From supporting President Biden’s policies to advocating for border security and energy production, the candidates are highlighting their priorities and visions for their respective districts. As campaigning continues and election day approaches, voters will have the opportunity to scrutinize the candidates’ positions and make an informed decision on who will represent them in Congress. With the state’s political landscape in flux, these races will be closely watched by both local and national audiences to see the outcomes and potential shifts in the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. Stay tuned for more updates on the Mississippi U.S. House elections as the campaigns unfold and election day draws near.
