U.S. House Rep. Bennie Thompson has defeated 34-year-old Democratic challenger Evan Turnage in Mississippi’s Democratic primary election on Tuesday.
“I didn’t begin this journey at the top or with a roadmap. As Langston Hughes wrote, life has not been a crystal stair. Every challenge only strengthened my resolve to expand access and opportunity,” the incumbent congressman posted on Bluesky on Tuesday night. “Thank you for the faith and the honor of serving you.”
With 92% of the vote counted as of Wednesday morning, the incumbent congressman had won 86% of the vote to Turnage’s 13%. Pertis Herman Williams III had 1% of the vote. You can see full election results here.
“Unfortunately, when the sun rises tomorrow, this will still be the poorest district in the poorest state in the nation,” Turnage said in a Tuesday night press release as he conceded the race. “That will not change without leadership committed to reversing the brain drain that has plagued our state for decades and leveling the playing field so people here can not only get by, but get ahead.”
Thompson, 78, has represented Mississippi’s 2nd congressional district since 1993. He previously chaired the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee and currently serves as ranking member. He chaired the U.S. House Select Committee on the Jan. 6 Attack during its 18-month investigation, which concluded in January 2023 and recommended charges after Donald Trump.
As of Wednesday morning, Republican Ron Eller led Kevin Wilson in the GOP primary for the 2nd Congressional District by a slim 51%-49% margin, with about 6% of the vote left to count. Eller, who has run for the seat before, staged a comeback in the primaries after WIlson led much of Tuesday evening in early counts. The Associated Press has not called that race.
Thompson defeated Eller in the 2024 election by winning 62% of the vote. Eller is a military veteran and a physician’s assistant. Wilson is an oilman and county supervisor.
1st Congressional District Election Results
The Associated Press declared civil rights attorney Cliff Johnson the winner of the Democratic primary for Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District. With 94% of votes counted of Wednesday morning, Johnson led primary opponent Kelvin Buck 64%-36%.
Johnson is the director of the MacArthur Justice Center at the University of Mississippi School of Law. He’s set to run against incumbent Republican U.S. House Rep. Trent Kelly, who has served in the U.S. House since 2015, in the 2026 midterm elections.
“We can win in November! I’m convinced of it,” the attorney posted on Facebook on Tuesday night. “And we’re going to win with a diverse coalition of people from all walks of life and all political persuasions. Mississippians are ready for something new!”
Kelly secured the Republican nomination on Tuesday as no opponent ran against him.
The incumbent congressman is a U.S. Army veteran who serves on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Agriculture Committee.
3rd Congressional District Election Results
With no Republican challenger, incumbent U.S. House Rep. Michael Guest is the de facto winner of his party’s nomination. He’s set to run against Democrat Michael Chiaradio, who also ran unopposed in Tuesday’s Democratic primaries, in the November election.
Guest is the chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Ethics.
New Jersey native Chiaradio now lives and owns a farm in Shubuta, Mississippi.
4th Congressional District Results
Incumbent U.S. House Rep. Mike Ezell coasted into victory in the Republican primary, leading challenger Sawyer Walters by 84%-16% with 92% of votes counted as of Wednesday morning.
“I’m honored and humbled by the trust you’ve placed in me to continue fighting for Mississippi,” the incumbent posted on X on Tuesday night. “Together, we’ve worked to secure our border, support law enforcement, strengthen our military, and protect the conservative values that make our communities strong. But our work is not finished.”
Ezell will face Mississippi House Rep. Jeffrey Hulum III in the November election. Hulum secured the Democratic nomination for Mississippi’s 4th congressional district in the U.S. House, winning 59% of the vote as of Wednesday morning with 71% of the vote in. Paul James Blackman received 27% of the primary votes, while D. Ryan Grover collected 15%.
Hulum currently represents Mississippi House District 119 and serves as the vice chairman of the Mississippi House Marine Resources Committee and a member of the Mississippi House committees for Gaming; Military Affairs; Ports, Harbors and Airports; and Tourism.
“From the strong support in my home community to voters across every corner of the district, I am honored by the trust you have placed in me,” he said in a Wednesday morning Facebook post. “It is a privilege to be the Democratic nominee for Mississippi’s Fourth Congressional District, and I thank every voter who participated in this election. That trust carries real responsibility, and I will work every day to earn it.”