2025 Mississippi State Senate special election
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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 were held on August 5 and, where needed, runoff elections were held on December 2.[1][2]
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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 No election | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Democrats flipped two seats, breaking the Republican supermajority.
Background
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
Republicans
- District 2: David Parker is retiring.[8]
- District 44: John Polk is retiring.[9]
Summary
April 15 special election
| 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
| 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
| 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 |
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Republican hold. |
| Chris Johnson (redistricted from SD 45) |
Republican | 2019 | Yes | |||
| 45 | None (new district) |
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Democratic gain. | |||
See also
Notes
- Two vacant seats previously held by Democrats