A special election is happening today to take over the House District 77 seat held by former Representative Andy Gipson.
Gipson stepped down from the position when Governor Bryant appointed him Commissioner of Agriculture. Candidates Cliff Brown, Hayes Patrick, Chris Purdum, Cemper Scott, and Price Wallace are set to face off in a race to represent the people of Rankin and Simpson Counties.
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“Not only is it important every time to honor the service men and women who are fighting for your ability to cast a ballot, but now with such low voter turnouts, you are voting for nine of your neighbors, so it becomes very important,” said Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann. “Low turnout means that your vote becomes even more important to whoever you want to represent you.”
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If no candidate receives a majority vote, there will be a runoff held on July 31, 2018.
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“Historically, we’ve had low turnouts in these races and we are hopeful that our Rankin and Simpson County people will show up and vote,” said Hosemann. “Today is the day that you cast your ballot and decide who is going to be representing you on everything from education to taxes in the Mississippi House of Representatives.”
Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson encouraged people living in Rankin and Simpson Counties to check and see if they are in District 77 so that they can go cast a ballot.
“I’m excited to see who will come out on top in the election on Tuesday,” Gipson said. “I know there are five candidates running, all of them are good people, I know them all and it’s just a matter of who turns out to vote.”
