With congressional election season picking up, several of Mississippi’s current delegation members are announcing their intent to seek reelection.
On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson told the Associated Press that he plans to seek a 16th term, which would make him one of the longest-tenured members in the House at over 30 years representing Mississippi’s second congressional district. The once mayor of small-town Bolton has recently made a national name for himself with his work as chairman of the House Jan. 6 Committee. Ron Eller is the only Republican at this time to announce his intent to run for Thompson’s seat.
One of Thompson’s Republican counterparts, Rep. Michael Guest, was one of multiple incumbents who confirmed to SuperTalk Mississippi News that they would be seeking reelection. Like Thompson, Guest has also grown his political identity during the most recent term with his work as chair of the House Ethics Committee. In December alone, he made hundreds, if not thousands, of headlines with his work in ousting embattled New York Congressman George Santos.
“I’m honored to serve in Congress to fight for the people of Mississippi by standing strong for our conservative values of faith, family, and freedom,” Guest said. “Our country faces many challenges but I’m confident that 2024 is the year we will take back America and put an end to the Biden far-left agenda.”
Guest, who serves the state’s third district, was first elected in 2018 after working as a district attorney in Rankin County. As of now, no one has officially announced that they will be challenging Guest, but sources close to the campaign trail say controversial yet so-far-failed politico Michael Cassidy could give it another shot. Cassidy forced Guest to a run-off in 2022 before failing to win a local legislative seat in 2023. Just two weeks ago, he shook the national media when he beheaded a satanic display inside the Iowa State Capitol.
As for Mississippi’s newest congressman, Republican Rep. Mike Ezell of District 4 will be looking for a second term with Republicans Michael McGill and Carl Boyanton already announcing runs against the former Jackson County sheriff. Ezell was one of the oldest newcomers of the most recent congressional class, coming in at age 63. Republican Rep. Trent Kelly has also confirmed that he will be seeking his fifth full term as the first district’s representative.
As for the Senate, Republican incumbent Roger Wicker will once again be on the ballot while Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith isn’t up for reelection until 2026. Already, the field is filling up against Wicker as Republicans Dan Eubanks and Ghannon Burton plus Democrat Ty Pinkins have all announced their candidacy.
As additional challengers are expected to come between now and the congressional filing deadline of Jan. 12, this article will be updated with any changes. Primary elections are scheduled for March 12 before the general election on Nov. 5.
