JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Republican Donald Trump easily won Mississippi’s six electoral votes, continuing a GOP winning streak in the state. Mississippi has gone Republican in every presidential race since 1980.
Trump campaigned in Mississippi three times, and Republican Gov. Phil Bryant stumped for him in several states. Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton concentrated her efforts in other states.
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U.S. HOUSE
All four congressmen won two-year terms after raising more cash than their challengers in what were generally low-intensity campaigns.
In the northern 1st District, Republican Rep. Trent Kelly of Saltillo defeated Democrat Jacob Owens of Oxford, the Reform Party’s Cathy Toole of Biloxi and Libertarian Chase Wilson of Olive Branch. Kelly was first elected in mid-2015.
Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson of Bolton defeated Republican John Bouie II of Gulfport, the Reform Party’s Johnny McLeod of Hattiesburg and independent Troy Ray of West. Thompson has held the Delta-to-Jackson 2nd District seat since 1993.
In the central 3rd District, Republican Rep. Gregg Harper of Pearl defeated Democrat Dennis C. Quinn of Magnolia, Veterans Party candidate Roger I. Gerrard of Meridian and the Reform Party’s Lajena Sheets of Seminary. Harper was first elected in 2008.
Republican Rep. Steven Palazzo of Biloxi defeated Democrat Mark Gladney of Gulfport, Libertarian Richard Blake McCluskey of Hattiesburg and the Reform Party’s Shawn O’Hara. Palazzo was first elected in the southern 4th District in 2010.
Mississippi did not have a U.S. Senate race this year.
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SUPREME COURT
Four races for the nine-member Mississippi Supreme Court were on the ballot, but one of the four was uncontested. Winners receive eight-year terms.
The hardest-fought race was in the central district, where Justice Jim Kitchens of Crystal Springs defeated Court of Appeals Judge Kenny Griffis of Ridgeland. Though Mississippi judicial candidates run without party labels, Democrats were supporting Kitchens and Republicans were supporting Griffis.
The northern district had two races. In one of them, Justice Jimmy Maxwell of Oxford was unopposed. In the other, attorney John Brady of Columbus and Circuit Judge Bobby Chamberlin of Hernando advanced to a Nov. 29 runoff. The candidates eliminated Tuesday were Steve Crampton of Tupelo and James T. “Jim” Kitchens of Caledonia. He is not related to Justice Jim Kitchens of Crystal Springs.
In the southern district, Justice Dawn Beam of Sumrall defeated Michael T. Shareef of Hattiesburg. Beam was appointed by Gov. Phil Bryant earlier this year to fill a vacancy until January. Her new eight-year term begins after that.
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COURT OF APPEALS
Four seats for the 10-member Mississippi Court of Appeals were on the ballot. Winners receive eight-year terms.
In two of the races, incumbents were unopposed: Judge Jim Greenlee of Oxford in the northern 1st District and Judge David Ishee of Gulfport in the southern 5th District.
In the Delta-to-Jackson 2nd District, Latrice Westbrooks of Jackson unseated Judge Ceola James of Vicksburg.
In the central 3rd District, the race was too close to call early Wednesday. Jack Wilson of Madison was challenged by Ed Hannan of Madison and Dow Yoder of Ridgeland.
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LEGISLATIVE RACES
Nov. 29 runoffs will decide the winners of two nonpartisan races to fill seats in the Mississippi House. Winners will serve the final three years of a four-year term.
Donnie Scoggin and Ron Swindall advanced from a three-person field in District 89 in Jones County. The winner will succeed Republican Rep. Bobby Shows of Ellisville, who retired.
John Glen Corley and Greg Holcomb advanced from a five-person field in District 106 in Lamar and Pearl River counties. The winner will succeed Republican Rep. Herb Frierson of Poplarville, who left the House to become state revenue commissioner.
