Mississippi 2018 General Election

The Green Papers: Mississippi 2018 General Election

This page is for offices up for election in 2018. Find 2019 elections here.

Flag images courtesy of The World Flag Database. Copyright http://www.flags.net/

Mississippi
Elections for Statewide offices and Congress
✓ Primary: Tuesday 5 June 2018
✓ Runoff - US Senate 1-D, US House 3-R: Tuesday 26 June 2018
✓ General Election/Special Election Senate Class 2: Tuesday 6 November 2018
✓ Special Election Runoff Senate Class 2: Tuesday 27 November 2018

✓ Thursday 1 March 2018 - Filing Deadline - Primary/Independent/Third/Minor .
✓ Tuesday 24 April 2018 - Filing Deadline - Special Senate Class 2 Election .
✓ Tuesday 5 June 2018 - Primary . Polling hours 7:00a-7:00p CDT (1200-0000 UTC).
✓ Tuesday 26 June 2018 - Runoff - US Senate 1-D, US House 3-R . Polling hours 7:00a-7:00p CDT (1200-0000 UTC).
✓ Tuesday 6 November 2018 - General Election/Special Election Senate Class 2 . Polling hours 7:00a-7:00p CST (1300-0100 UTC).
✓ Tuesday 27 November 2018 - Special Election Runoff Senate Class 2. Polling hours 7:00a-7:00p CST (1300-0100 UTC).

Senators:	2	(Electoral Classes 1 and 2)
Governor:	1
2010 Census:	2,978,240	(0.96% of 309,785,186)
2012, 2016, 2020 Electoral Votes:	6	(1.12% of 538)
2012-2020 Representatives:	4	(0.92% of 435)
Capital:	Jackson

Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Marianas Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Mississippi State and Local Government

The primary is for the Democrats and Republicans.

If no candidate receives a majority of the vote in a partisan primary, the two top vote-getters proceed to a runoff. The candidate who receives the most votes in the runoff (aka second primary) shall be nominated as a Party's candidate for the office.

To win a State-based statewide office in the General election, a candidate must receive 50% or more of the vote and carry 62 or more of the 122 House districts. Otherwise, the House chooses between the top two vote-getters in January.

For special elections, all candidates run in a non-partisan primary. Party labels do not appear on the ballot. If no one receives a majority in the primary, the top 2 vote getters proceed to a non-partisan runoff.

2018 elections calendar from the State Board of Elections.

2018 Candidate Qualifying List from the State Board of Elections.

5 June 2018:
Results from The New York Times
Results from Politico.

Since no candidate received a majority of the vote in the 5 June primary, a 26 June runoff will be held between the two top vote-getters:
U.S. Senate Class 1 Democratic
U.S. House CD 3 Republican

26 June 2018: Primary Runoff Sample Ballots from the State Board of Elections.

26 June 2018 Runoff
Results from The New York Times.
Results from Politico.

6 November 2018 General Election
SAMPLE Official Election Ballot from the State Board of Elections.
Certified returns from the State Board of Elections.

Since no candidate received a majority of the vote in the 6 November 2018 election, there will be a Tuesday 27 November 2018 non-partisan runoff for the Senate Class 2 Special Election Seat between Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican) and former Congressman Alphonso Michael "Mike" Espy (Democratic).

27 November 2018 Runoff:
Certified returns from the State Board of Elections.



U.S. Senate 6 year term. No Term Limit. 115^th Senate Senate Electoral Classes

Class 1		Republican	Senator Roger F. Wicker • Re-elected Tuesday 6 November 2018 • Appointed 31 December 2007 to fill the vacancy caused by the 18 December 2007 resignation of Senator Trent Lott. First elected in a special election: 4 November 2008. Re-elected: 2012 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018 • Renominated
	Candidate list (4)

		Republican	547,619	58.49%	Senator Roger F. Wicker • FEC S8MS00196; 26 Nov 18; Tot $6,110,561; Dsb $5,767,493

		Democratic	369,567	39.47%	state Representative David Wayne Baria • Proceeds to Runoff, 26 June 2018 • FEC S8MS00253; 17 Oct 18; Tot $781,291; Dsb $702,697

		Libertarian	12,981	1.39%	Danny Bedwell • FEC S8MS00337

		Reform	6,048	0.65%	Shawn O'Hara • circa 20 November 2018: Deceased • FEC S4MS00062
Total			936,215	100.00%

Class 2		Republican	Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith • Re-elected Tuesday 3 November 2020 • Appointed: 1 April 2018 [re: the resignation of Senator Thad Cochran (Republican)]. First elected in a Special Election: 27 November 2018. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2020
	Senator Thad Cochran (Republican), who was first elected in 1978; and re-elected in 1984, 1990, 1996, 2002, 2008, and 2014, announced his intention to resign from the U.S. Senate effective 1 April 2018 "... I regret my health has become an ongoing challenge ..." On 21 March 2018, Governor Phil Bryant (Republican) announced that upon Senator Cochran's resignation, he will appoint state Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican) to the Senate Class 2 Seat. 1 April 2018: Senator Thad Cochran resigns. 3 April 2018: Governor Phil Bryant (Republican) set 6 November 2018 as the date for the Special U.S. Senate election. If no one receives a majority in the primary, the top 2 vote getters proceed to a 27 November non-partisan runoff. For special elections, all candidates run in a non-partisan primary. Party labels do not appear on the ballot. The filing deadline is 24 April.

Class 2 Special Election		Republican	• Seat up for special election: Tuesday 27 November 2018 • Special Election - Caused by the 1 April 2018 resignation of Senator Thad Cochran (Republican). Since no candidate received a majority of the vote in the 6 November 2018 election, there will be a Tuesday 27 November 2018 non-partisan runoff between Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican) and former Congressman Alphonso Michael "Mike" Espy (Democratic).
	Candidate list (2)

		Nonpartisan; (Republican)	486,769	53.63%	Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith • 6 November 2018: Proceeds to 27 November runoff. • FEC S8MS00261; 17 Dec 18; Tot $5,511,098; Dsb $5,447,353
		Nonpartisan; (Democratic)	420,819	46.37%	former Congressman Alphonso Michael "Mike" Espy • First elected to the U.S. House: 1986. Re-elected 1988, 1990, 1992. Resigned: 22 January 1993 after having been appointed Secretary of Agriculture by President William J. "Bill" Clinton. Served as Secretary of Agriculture: 1993-1994. 6 November 2018: Proceeds to 27 November runoff. • FEC S8MS00287; 17 Dec 18; Tot $7,330,130; Dsb $7,091,999
Total			907,588	100.00%
	3 April 2018: Governor Phil Bryant (Republican) set 6 November 2018 as the date for the Special U.S. Senate election. If no one receives a majority in the primary, the top 2 vote getters proceed to a 27 November non-partisan runoff. For special elections, all candidates run in a non-partisan primary. Party labels do not appear on the ballot. The filing deadline is 24 April. 6 November 2018 General Election Results: Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (Nonpartisan, Republican) 41.59%; former Congressman Alphonso Michael "Mike" Espy (Nonpartisan, Democratic) 40.56%; state Senator Christopher Brian "Chris" McDaniel (Nonpartisan, Republican) 16.42%; Tobey Bernard Bartee (Nonpartisan, Democratic) 1.44%. Since no candidate received a majority of the vote in the 6 November 2018 election, there will be a Tuesday 27 November 2018 non-partisan runoff between Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican) 41.59% and former Congressman Alphonso Michael "Mike" Espy (Democratic) 40.56%.

Governor 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2015, 2019. Term Limit: No one can serve more than 2 4-year terms in a lifetime, All Governors

		Republican	Governor Phil Bryant • First elected: 2011; re-elected: 2015. • Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 5 November 2019 • The current Governor is affected by a term limit and cannot run for re-election. • Open Chair - At term limit.
	Candidate list (3)

		Democratic			Attorney General Jim Hood • 1 October 2018: Will run for Governor in 2019.
		Democratic			Velesha Williams

		Republican			Petal Mayor Hal Marx

Lieutenant Governor 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2015, 2019

		Republican	Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves • First elected: 2011; re-elected: 2015. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 5 November 2019 • Open Seat - At term limit.
	Candidate list (2)

		Democratic			state Representative Jay Hughes

		Republican			Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann • 8 March 2018: Running for Lieutenant Governor in 2019.

115^th U.S. House of Representatives 2-year term. Election Cycle 2018, 2020. No Term Limit. 115^th House
Partisan Composition (primary disposition): 3 Republican (2 Renominated, 1 Open); 1 Democratic (1 Renominated)

Incumbent - 115th Congress
CD 1		Republican	Congressman John Trent "Trent" Kelly • Re-elected Tuesday 6 November 2018 • First elected in a Special Election: 2 June 2015 (re: death of Congressman Patrick Alan "Alan" Nunnelee). • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018 • Renominated
	Candidate list (3) - 116th Congress

		Republican	158,245	66.91%	Congressman John Trent "Trent" Kelly • FEC H6MS01131; 26 Nov 18; Tot $904,578; Dsb $864,683

		Democratic	76,601	32.39%	Randy MacK Wadkins • FEC H8MS01145; 26 Nov 18; Tot $156,935; Dsb $155,335

		Reform	1,675	0.71%	Tracella Lou O'Hara Hill • FEC H4MS04080
Total			236,521	100.00%

Incumbent - 115th Congress
CD 2		Democratic	Congressman Bennie G. Thompson • Re-elected Tuesday 6 November 2018 • First elected in Special Election, 13 April 1993, re: resignation of Congressman Mike Espy, 21 January 1993 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018 • Renominated
	Candidate list (3) - 116th Congress

		Democratic	158,921	71.79%	Congressman Bennie G. Thompson • FEC H4MS02068; 26 Nov 18; Tot $1,015,902; Dsb $969,332

		Independent	48,104	21.73%	Troy Ray • FEC H4MS02183

		Reform	14,354	6.48%	Irving Harris • FEC H8MS02069
Total			221,379	100.00%

Incumbent - 115th Congress
CD 3 Open		Republican	Congressman Gregg Harper • First elected: 2008 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018 • Open Seat - 4 January 2018: Not seeking re-election.
			Open Seat (no incumbent)
	Candidate list (3) - 116th Congress

		Republican	160,284	62.30%	District Attorney Michael Patrick Guest • Proceeds to and won the Runoff, 26 June 2018 • FEC H8MS03125; 26 Nov 18; Tot $953,276; Dsb $919,782

		Democratic	94,461	36.72%	state Representative Michael Ted Evans • FEC H8MS03216

		Reform	2,526	0.98%	Matthew Holland • FEC H8MS03208
Total			257,271	100.00%

Incumbent - 115th Congress
CD 4		Republican	Congressman Steven McCarty Palazzo • Re-elected Tuesday 6 November 2018 • First elected: 2010 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018 • Renominated
	Candidate list (3) - 116th Congress

		Republican	152,633	68.22%	Congressman Steven McCarty Palazzo • FEC H0MS04120; 26 Nov 18; Tot $767,558; Dsb $723,797

		Democratic	68,787	30.75%	state Representative Jeramey DeWayne Anderson • FEC H8MS04438; 26 Nov 18; Tot $152,500; Dsb $151,638

		Reform	2,312	1.03%	Lajena Sheets • FEC H6MS03194
Total			223,732	100.00%

Secretary of State 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2015, 2019

		Republican	Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann • First elected: 2007; re-elected: 2011, 2015 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 5 November 2019 • Open Seat - 8 March 2018: Running for Lieutenant Governor in 2019.

Attorney General 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2015, 2019

		Democratic	Attorney General Jim Hood • First elected: 2003; re-elected: 2007, 2011, 2015 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 5 November 2019 • Open Seat - 1 October 2018: Will run for Governor in 2019.
	Candidate list (2)

		Republican			state Representative Mark Baker
		Republican			Treasurer Lynn Fitch

Treasurer 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2015, 2019

		Republican	Treasurer Lynn Fitch • First elected: 2011; re-elected: 2015. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 5 November 2019 • Open Seat - 14 March 2018: Announced she would run for Attorney General in 2019.
	Candidate list (1)

		Republican			David McRae

Auditor of Public Accounts 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2015, 2019

		Republican	Auditor of Public Accounts Shadrack "Shad" White • Appointed 6 July 2018 [re: 15 July resignation of Stacey E. Pickering] • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 5 November 2019
	6 July 2018: Governor Phil Bryant (Republican) appointed Shad White (Republican) to fill the remainder of the term when the office becomes vacant. Auditor of Public Accounts Stacey E. Pickering (Republican), who was first elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011 and 2015, resigned on 15 July 2018 to become head of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs Board.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2015, 2019

		Republican	Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson • Appointed: 2 April 2018 [re: resignation of Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican) who was appointed by Governor Phil Bryant (Republican) to the U.S. Senate Class 2 seat.] • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 5 November 2019
	21 March 2018: Governor Phil Bryant (Republican) announced that upon Senator Thad Cochran's (Republican) 1 April resigation, he will appoint state Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican) to the Senate Class 2 Seat. 2 April 2018: Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican), who was first elected in 2011 and re-elected in 2015, resigned. 29 March 2018: Governor Phil Bryant (Republican) named state Representative Andy Gipson (Republican) as Mississippi's Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce. He will serve the remainder of the current term which ends in January 2020. 2 April 2018: Andy Gipson is sworn as Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce.

Commissioner of Insurance 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2015, 2019

		Republican	Insurance Commissioner Michael Jackson "Mike" Chaney • First elected: 2007; re-elected: 2011, 2015 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 5 November 2019

Political Parties Parties appear in parenthesis and italics when a candidate receives the endorsement of a given Party and/or official sources indicate a candidate's association with a particular Party but only where the Party in question does not appear on the actual ballot as such.

Major Parties Those parties which received electoral votes through winning a plurality of a state's [or the District of Columbia's] popular vote in any presidential election between 1984 and 2016. See Classification of Political parties.
	• Democratic (affiliates): 2 incumbents, 9 candidates
	• Republican: 13 incumbents, 10 candidates
Major Third Parties Any Party, other than a Major Party, receiving a minimum of 15/100ths of 1 percent of the nationwide popular vote in any presidential election between 1984 and 2016. See Classification of Political parties.
	• Libertarian: 1 candidate
	• Reform (affiliates): 5 candidates
Independents
	• Independent: 1 candidate
	• Nonpartisan: 2 candidates
Candidates running under the banner of more than one party are counted towards each party's total. A candidate who has lost a primary or is apparently no longer a candidate is not counted.

Notes

Candidates for office appear on this page in italics where 'The Green Papers' does not yet have independent confirmation from a legal election authority that the person has been officially certified to appear on the ballot.

Primary dates marked "presumably" and polling times marked "reportedly" are based on unofficial or estimated data (especially as regards local variations from a jurisdictionwide statutory and/or regulatory standard) and are, thereby, subject to change.

"FEC" indicates the Federal Election Commission (FEC) Campaign Finance Summary.

When available, we post each candidate's FEC identification number, the date of their most recently filed Report of Receipts and Disbursements, their "Tot" [Total Receipts (contributions received or what came in: FEC Form 3, Line 16, Column B)] and their "Dsb" [Total Disbursements (expenditures or what was spent: FEC Form 3, Line 23, Column B)]. A link is provided to the Federal Election Commission's Summary Report for those who might wish to explore the details.

If a candidate raises or spends $5,000 or less, he or she is not subject to FEC reporting requirements.