Gov. Tate Reeves has scheduled six special elections in Mississippi this year: two for the Mississippi House of Representatives, three for trial courts and one for a district attorney position.
The residents of Calhoun, Lafayette, Pontotoc and Webster Counties will choose a representative for Mississippi House District 23 on March 25 following the death of Rep. Andy Stepp, a Republican from Bruce, Miss., who died on Dec. 5, 2024. He had served in the House since January 2024.
“He found joy in storytelling and humor, often delighting friends and family with his favorite saying: ‘I’m finer than a frog hair split three ways and tied in a knot!’ His laughter and wit will be dearly missed by all who knew him,” Stepp’s obituary says.
Mississippi House District 82 Rep. Charles Young, Jr., a Democrat from Meridian, Miss., died on Dec. 19, 2024. He had served in the House since 2012. Lauderdale County residents in the district will vote for a House District 82 representative on March 25 to fill the vacancy.
“Elee and I are saddened to learn of Representative Charles Young Jr.’s passing,” Reeves said in a Dec. 20, 2024, statement. “He was a dedicated public servant and dutifully served the people of the 82nd District. We are praying for his friends and family.”
Reeves replaced 12th Circuit Court Judge John Mark Weathers with Wesley B. Curry, IV, for the circuit’s Place 2 seat after Weathers resigned on April 30, 2024, and returned to his old role as general counsel for the University of Southern Mississippi. Forrest and Perry counties will vote for circuit court judge on Nov. 4.
12th Chancery District, Place 1 Judge Charlie Smith resigned on July 1, 2024, and Reeves designated Austin C. Terry to fill the vacant seat. Clarke and Lauderdale counties will vote for their choice for the seat on Feb. 3.
Reeves replaced Pearl River County Court Judge Richelle Lumpkin with Lisa Beech McGloflin after the governor appointed Lumpkin to the 15th Circuit Court District following a vacancy last year. Pearl River County voters will vote for their choice in a Nov. 4 special election.
The qualifying deadline for the House of Representatives, county, circuit and chancery judge special elections is on Feb. 3 at 5 p.m.
1st Circuit Court District Attorney John Weddle resigned on Oct. 14, 2024, after Reeves appointed him to the Mississippi Court of Appeals. The 1st Circuit Court District includes residents in Alcorn, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss and Tishomingo counties; they will vote for their choice for district attorney on Nov. 4. The qualifying deadline for the district attorney special election is on Sept. 5 at 5 p.m.
Visit the Mississippi Secretary of State’s website for more information on qualifying to be a candidate in the special elections.