Cliff Johnson, a University of Mississippi law school professor, announced on Thursday that he will run as a Democrat for Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District seat in next year against Republican incumbent Trent Kelly. 

Johnson, in a campaign announcement video, said that if elected to the seat serving northeastern Mississippi, he would work to expand access to affordable healthcare, protect Social Security benefits, and preserve the state’s land and water resources. 

READ MORE: Field grows in Mississippi’s 2026 US Senate Race. Here are the candidates so far

“As Mississippians, we were taught that we are measured by how we treat those around us who are struggling and need help,” Johnson said. “But in Washington, too many career politicians have forgotten those values and callously bury Mississippi families under a heaping pile of oppressive policies that make life harder rather than easier.” 

Kelly is likely to win the Republican nomination, but he could have a primary opponent.

A spokesperson for Kelly did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Johnson’s campaign announcement. 

Former state Rep. Kelvin Buck, a Democrat who represented Marshall County, has also qualified to run for the congressional seat.

So far, no Republican has filed paperwork to run against Kelly.

Johnson’s announcement follows several other candidates who have announced that they’re running for Congress in the 2026 midterm election. 

Here is a list of other candidates who have announced they’re running: 

2nd Congressional District 

• Bennie Thompson, incumbent Democrat 

• Bennie Foster, Democrat

3rd Congressional District 

• Michael Guest, incumbent Republican 

• Michael Chiaradio, Democrat

4th Congressional District

• Mike Ezell, incumbent Republican 
• Paul James Blackman, Democrat 
• Sawyer Walters, Republican 

U.S. Senate: