In a special legislative election on Tuesday, April 15, Mississippi voters in Leake, Neshoba and Winston will elect a candidate to represent them for Mississippi Senate District 18. Voters can confirm which Senate district they live in at this link.
Gov. Tate Reeves had to set a special election for the district after former Mississippi District 18 Sen. Jenifer Branning, a Republican, won a spot on the Mississippi Supreme Court after the Nov. 26, 2024, general runoff election.
Candidates must run as nonpartisan in Mississippi’s special legislative elections.
The candidates are:
Mark Forsman
Background: Mark Forsman is the founder of Forsman Cabinets and the owner of Yarbrough Wood Products, LLC, who lives in Noxapater, Miss. He is a Noxapater High School Graduate and attended East Central Community College and Global University.
Forsman’s platform centers on rebuilding small towns through policies that strengthen local economies and developing the workforce with support for vocational training, job creation and economic growth. He says he holds conservative, Christian values that he hopes to bring to the state Senate.
“I’ve spent most of my life creating jobs, serving, volunteering, and raising a family in this district. Now I hope to take that experience to best serve our state,” Forsman said in a post on his campaign website. “I believe our country and state have gotten away from what used to make us great, and I plan to get us back to the place we were proud to call home.”
He has been a Gideon for 10 years and serves as the president of the Choctaw/Winston Gideon Camp. The candidate is also a member of the committees of the Winston County GOP, Say Something School Assembly and the Crisis Pregnancy & Family Resource Center.
Policy Views:
- Pledges to rebuild small towns by enacting policies that strengthen them
- Says he believes in conservative, Christian values of faith, family and freedom
- Wants to improve workforce development
Website: votemarkforsman.com
Social Media: Facebook
Lane Taylor
Background: Lane Taylor is a Philadelphia, Miss., native and owner of Lane Taylor Auction Company.
He says the government should be run like a business and he opposes “wasteful spending,” wanting to identify non-essential programs and agencies that could be eliminated to bring the state’s budget down. The candidate wants to prioritize infrastructure by working with the Mississippi Department of Transportation, local officials and federal agencies.
“As our district loses Senator (Jenifer) Branning’s unmatched leadership on the Senate Highways & Transportation Committee, our next senator must be committed and able to sustain the advancements and projects she implemented,” Taylor said in a post on his campaign website.
Taylor opposes mandates for face masks and COVID-19. He is a supporter of gun rights and wants to fight against what he calls any “liberal attempts” to take away firearms and ammunition. The candidate says he wants to help Mississippi keep its status as a “business-friendly state” for small and large businesses.
Policy Views:
- Against mandates for face masks and COVID-19 vaccines
- Supports gun ownership, opposes gun control
- Wants to attract businesses to Mississippi
- Opposes “wasteful” government spending
- Wants to prioritize infrastructure
Website: lanetaylor.com
Social Media: Facebook
Jackson ‘Ike’ Melton
Background: Jackson “Ike” Melton lives in Neshoba County, works in Leake County and hunts in Winston County. He lives and works on his family’s farm in the Arlington community of Neshoba County. The candidate also teaches construction and building trades at the Leake County Career and Technical Center.
Melton graduated from Leake Academy. He also has two degrees from Mississippi State University.
He is a club sponsor for LCCTC Skills USA Construction Club, the engineering club adviser for the Beta Club, a volunteer youth baseball coach, a baseball umpire and a mentor for students in the local 4-H extension services in Leake and Neshoba counties.
Melton says he wants to protect rural and small town “heritage,” educate citizens, provide employment opportunities and volunteer with local organizations.
“Ike Melton has personally handled finances ranging from the ‘Shoe String’ pay check to pay check budget that most of us live by, to Multi Million Dollar deals. So Ike will not be intimidated or impressed by ‘big business’ or ‘big money.’ He is used to pressure and making tough, sometimes unpleasant decisions that can have lasting impacts for the greater good,” Melton wrote in a Feb. 19 Facebook post.
Policy Views:
- Wants to protect rural and small town “heritage”
- Hopes to educate citizens
- Aspires to provide employment opportunities
No website is publicly available.
Social Media: Facebook
Marty Sistrunk
Background: Neshoba County native Marty Sistrunk is a farmer and businessman who serves as the county commissioner for Neshoba Central Elementary School. He previously served as Neshoba County District 4 supervisor as a Republican, losing reelection in 2023.
During his eight years as a supervisor, Sistrunk helped get federal and state dollars to resurface more than 50 miles of roads in Neshoba County. He also helped retain current businesses and attract new businesses to the county.
“I’m for all phases of county government, state government and I have the resources of going to Jackson, talking to senators and representatives in the past, and was able to get some money,” Sistrunk said in a Facebook video on March 28.
Policy Views:
- Wants to attract new businesses and retain current businesses in Mississippi
- Hopes to improve infrastructure
No website is publicly available.
Social Media: None is publicly available
Lindsey Kidd
Background: Lindsey Kidd is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, an officer with the Philadelphia Police Department and the pastor of the New Bethlehem Community Church in De Kalb, Miss.
He says he wants to help small businesses, bring in new jobs and strengthen the economy if elected. Kidd said he hopes to improve access to quality educational opportunities for all children and quality, affordable and accessible health care for all citizens. The candidate would promote “policies that protect the sanctity of life and uphold the values of our faith-based communities,” he said. He also said he supports gun ownership under the 2nd Amendment.
“As a person of faith, I deeply believe in the values that strengthen our communities, family, service, justice and compassion. The principles will guide my vision for our district,” Kidd said in a letter to the citizens of Mississippi Senate District 18.
Policy Views:
- Supports gun ownership under the 2nd Amendment
- Wants to help create jobs and support small businesses
- Hopes to improve educational access for children
- Supports affordable and accessible health care for all people
No website is publicly available.
No social media is publicly available
Editor’s Note: This guide originally did not include candidate Lindsey Kidd. We apologize for the oversight.
