All but one incumbent Mississippi lawmaker won their primary race in special elections scattered across the state Tuesday.
With complete but unofficial numbers, Sens. Michael McLendon of Hernando, Chris Johnson of Hattiesburg and Reginald Jackson of Marks, and Reps. Kabir Karriem of Columbus and Rickey Thompson of Shannon all won their primaries.
See vote totals below.
Sen. Robin Robinson of Laurel was soundly defeated, ending her brief tenure in the Senate. Donald Hartness, a retired Ellisville resident backed by former longtime state Sen. Chris McDaniel, captured the Republican nomination with more than 70% of the vote.
In newly drawn Senate District 2, including parts of DeSoto and Tunica counties, Theresa Isom defeated Robert Walker in the Democratic primary. She will face Republican Charlie Hoots in November.
A federal three-judge panel ordered Mississippi to conduct special elections for 14 legislative seats this year because the court determined the Legislature diluted Black voting strength when it redrew state House and Senate districts.
The federal panel specifically ordered the state to have special elections for House districts in the Chickasaw County area, Senate districts in the Hattiesburg area and Senate districts in the DeSoto County area.
Ten of the 14 seats are contested. Of those 10, seven had a contested primary Tuesday. After party leaders certify the election results, the Republican and Democratic nominees will compete in the Nov. 4 general election.
Here are the complete results of the primary election:
Senate District 1 – DeSoto and Tate counties:
Republican Primary:
- Michael McLendon, incumbent: 4,176
- Jon Stevenson: 1,941
In the general election, McLendon will face Chris Hannah, who was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Senate District 2 – DeSoto and Tunica counties:
Democratic primary:
- Theresa Isom: 841
- Robert Walker: 234
In the general election, Isom will face Charlie Hoots , who was unopposed for the Republican nomination.
Senate District 11 – Coahoma, DeSoto, Quitman, Tate and Tunica counties:
Democratic primary:
- Abe Hudson, Jr.: 1,025
- Reginald Jackson, incumbent: 1,427
In the general election, Jackson will face Kendall Prewett, who was unopposed for the Republican nomination.
Senate District 42 – Forrest, Greene, Jones and Wayne counties:
Republican primary:
- Donald Hartness: 4,246
- R.J. Robinson: 84
- Robin Robinson, incumbent: 1,676
No Democrat ran, so Hartness has won the seat.
Senate District 19 – DeSoto County:
Dianne Black, a Democrat, will face Republican Sen. Sen. Kevin Blackwell in the general election. They were unopposed for the party nominations.
Senate District 44 – Forrest, Lamar and Perry counties:
Republican primary:
- Chris Johnson, incumbent: 2,282
- Patrick Lott: 1,961
In the general election, Johnson will face Shakita Taylor, who was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
House District 16 – Chickasaw, Lee, Monroe and Pontotoc counties:
Democratic primary:
- Brady Davis: 348
- Rickey Thompson, incumbent: 1,325
No Republican ran, so Thompson was reelected.
House District 22 – Chickasaw, Clay and Monroe counties:
Democrat Justin Crosby will face Republican Rep. Jon Lancaster in the general election. They were unopposed for the party nominations.
House District 41 – Lowndes County:
Democratic primary:
- Pierre Beard, Sr.: 248
- Kabir Karriem, incumbent: 1,310
No Republican ran, so Karriem was reelected.
Four seats that are part of the special elections were not contested, which means only one candidate filed to run. These incumbent candidates win those races by default. Those districts are:
- Senate District 43: Juan Barnett, Democrat.
- Senate District 41: Joey Fillingane, Republican.
- House District 36: Karl Gibbs, Democrat.
- House District 39: Dana McLean Republican.
