2025 Mississippi State Senate special election
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April 15 – December 2, 2025
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12 of 52 seats in the Mississippi State Senate (9 court-ordered, 3 due to vacancies) 27 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Map of the incumbents: Republican hold Democratic gain Democratic hold Winner TBD No election | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Mississippi |
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The 2025 Mississippi State Senate special election was held on November 4, 2025, to elect 9 of 52 members of the Mississippi State Senate. Special elections were called in 9 districts due to court-ordered redistricting, in addition a special election was held on April 15 to fill a vacancy in one district. Primary elections will be held on August 5 and, if needed, runoff elections will be held on December 2.[1][2]
Democrats flipped two seats, breaking the Republican supermajority.
Background
[edit]The election was called after court-ordered redistricting caused the state Senate map to be redrawn, as it was found to diminish the voting power of the state's African American population.[3] The new map creates two new majority black districts, one each in DeSoto and Forrest County, both without incumbents.[4] It then goes to court for approval, despite objections from lawmakers in DeSoto County and some Democrats, where it will await a ruling on the next day.[5][6] In the first week of May, a panel of three judges approved the redrawn map from the Mississippi Election Commission and allowed 10 out of 15 districts to proceed with the special election.[7]
Retirements
[edit]Republicans
[edit]- District 2: David Parker is retiring.[8]
- District 44: John Polk is retiring.[9]
Summary
[edit]April 15 special election
[edit]| District | Incumbent | Result | Candidates[10] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member | Party | First elected | |||
| 18 | Jenifer Branning | Republican | 2015 | Incumbent resigned January 6, 2025, to join the Mississippi Supreme Court.[11] New member elected April 15, 2025. Republican hold. |
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November 4 special elections
[edit]| District | Incumbent | Result | Candidates | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member | Party | First elected | |||
| 24 | David Lee Jordan | Democratic | 1993 | Incumbent resigned June 30, 2025, to spend time with his family.[13] New member elected December 2, 2025, after no one received over 50% of the vote on November 4, 2025. Democratic hold.[14] |
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| 26 | John Horhn | Democratic | 1992 | Incumbent resigned June 30, 2025 to become the Mayor of Jackson.[16] New member elected December 2, 2025, after no one received over 50% of the vote on November 4, 2025. Democratic hold.[14] |
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November 4 redistricting elections
[edit]| District | Incumbent | Candidates | Result | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member | Party | First elected | Running | |||
| 1 | Michael McLendon | Republican | 2019 | Yes |
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Republican hold. |
| Reginald Jackson (redistricted from SD 11) |
Democratic | 2023 | Running in the 11th district | |||
| 2 | David Parker† | Republican | 2012 | No |
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Democratic gain. |
| 11 | Reginald Jackson | Democratic | 2023 | Yes |
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Democratic hold. |
| 19 | Kevin Blackwell | Republican | 2015 | Yes |
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Republican hold. |
| 34 | Juan Barnett | Democratic | 2015 | Yes |
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Democratic hold. |
| 41 | Joey Fillingane | Republican | 2006 | Yes |
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Republican hold. |
| 42 | Robin Robinson | Republican | 2023 | Lost renomination |
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Republican hold. |
| 44 | John A. Polk† | Republican | 2011 | No |
|
Republican hold. |
| Chris Johnson (redistricted from SD 45) |
Republican | 2019 | Yes | |||
| 45 | None (new district) |
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Democratic gain. | |||
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Two vacant seats previously held by Democrats
References
[edit]- ^ Pender, Geoff (May 9, 2025). "Federal court approves Mississippi legislative redistricting. Special elections will proceed". Mississippi Today. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ "Mississippi state legislative special elections, 2025". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
- ^ Milam, Ben (February 27, 2025). "Mississippi Senate passes redistricting resolution in line with federal order". SuperTalk Mississippi Media. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ Vance, Taylor (February 27, 2025). "Mississippi Senate passes redistricting that calls for 10 new elections". Associated Press. Mississippi Today. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ "New Mississippi legislative maps head to court for approval despite DeSoto lawmakers' objections - Mississippi Today". March 5, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
- ^ "Court to rule on DeSoto County Senate districts with special elections looming - Mississippi Today". April 25, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
- ^ "Federal court approves Mississippi legislative redistricting. Special elections will proceed - Mississippi Today". May 9, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
- ^ "DeSoto Sen. David Parker will not run in November special election - Mississippi Today". June 6, 2025. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
- ^ McLaughlin, Grant (February 27, 2025). "MS Senate passes redistricting plan. See who will run in special elections and areas affected". The Clarion Ledger. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ Corder, Frank (March 10, 2025). "Five candidates qualify for Senate District 18 special election". Magnolia Tribune. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ Latino, Russ (November 27, 2024). "Jenifer Branning projected to unseat Supreme Court Justice Jim Kitchens". Magnolia Tribune. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ "Mississippi State Senate 18 Special Election General". Decision Desk HQ. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ Parker, Brooke (May 28, 2025). "After 32 years in office, Mississippi Senator announces retirement at 92". WDAM. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
- ^ a b Harrison, Heather (November 5, 2025). "Mississippi Special Election Results: Democrats Flip 3 Seats". Mississippi Free Press. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ Vance, Taylor. "Special election runoffs: Voters choose new Mississippi senators". mississippitoday.org. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ Harrell, Jeremy (June 4, 2025). "John Horhn wins Jackson mayoral election". wjtv.com. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ Williams, Angela. "Mumford wins runoff race to represent District 26 in Mississippi Senate". wapt.com. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Corder, Frank (November 4, 2025). "Democrats pick up seats in Mississippi House, Senate due to court-ordered special redistricting elections". Magnolia Tribune.
- ^ a b "Court-ordered special legislative elections: See who's running as of Friday". Magnolia Tribune. June 6, 2025. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
- ^ "Candidates line up for special Mississippi legislative elections. See who's running". Mississippi Today. Retrieved June 10, 2025.