Photos: Mississippi Legislature Returns With New Members

Lawmakers returned to the Mississippi Capitol Building in Jackson, Miss., on Tuesday, Jan. 6, for the start of the 2026 legislative session, with several new lawmakers sworn into office following the fall 2025 special elections.

Here are some photos from the start of the 2026 legislative session.

A row of people hold up cameras to record several swearing-ins inside the senate chambers — Family and friends use their cell phones to record one of several swearing in ceremonies in the Mississippi Senate Chamber during the first day of the 2026 Mississippi Legislative Session, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Justin Crosby holds one hand up and one hand on a bible held by his wife — Mississippi Rep. Justin Crosby, D-Aberdeen, right, recites his oath of office as he is sworn into office by House Speaker Jason White, R-West, left, to the start of the first day of the 2026 Mississippi Legislative Session, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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Johny and Johnice Dupree stand beside Delbert Hosemann for a photo — Sen. Johnny Dupree, D-Hattiesburg, left, and his wife Johnice Dupree, center, join Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann for a quick photo session, after being sworn into office at the start of the first day of the 2026 Mississippi Legislative Session, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

A closeup of Theresa Isom holding one hand up and another on a book as she is sworn in — Mississippi Sen. Theresa Isom, D-Southaven, recites the oath of office while being sworn into the Mississippi Senate at the start of the first day of the 2026 Mississippi Legislative Session, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Don Hartness holds one hand up in the air making a thumbs up motion — Mississippi Sen. Don Hartness, R-Ellisville, gives a thumps up after being sworn into office to the start of the first day of the 2026 Mississippi Legislative Session, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Jason White and Tyler McCaughn smile at the front of the senate — Mississippi House of Representatives Speaker Jason White, R-West, left, laughs as he greets Sen. Tyler McCaughn, R-Newton, representing the Senate, to state they were “open for business” on the first day of the 2026 Mississippi Legislative Session, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Fabian Nelson smiles as he looks up in the gallery of the senate chambers — Mississippi Rep. Fabian Nelson, D-Jackson, recognizes a friend in the House of Representatives gallery during the first day of the 2026 Mississippi Legislative Session, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Three members of the house of representatives reach to push their attendance buttons at their chamber seats — Members of the Mississippi House of Representatives reach forward to activate the attendance button to the start of the first day of the 2026 Mississippi Legislative Session, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

A seated older man helps a younger man with his suit tie — Mississippi Rep. John Hines Sr., D-Greenville, left, assists a House page in adjusting his tie prior to the start of the first day of the 2026 Mississippi Legislative Session, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Two JROTC members in uniform walk the US and Mississippi flags into the chambers — Germantown High School members of the U.S. Marine Corps Junior ROTC, enter the chambers of the Mississippi House of Representatives to post colors during the first day of the 2026 Mississippi Legislative Session, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Chamber gallery seats are filed with attendees — An overflow crowd attended the Senate Education Committee meeting during the first day of the 2026 Mississippi Legislative Session, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mike Johnson and Sarita M. Simmons listen at the legislature — Senate Education Committee members Mike Thompson, R-Long Beach, left, and Sarita M. Simmons, D-Cleveland, right, listen to a discussion of proposed legislation, at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

An overhead view of a rotunda walkway filled with people — Lawmakers mix with lobbyists, family and friends prior to the start of the first day of the 2026 Mississippi Legislative Session, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

William Tracy Arnold organizes papers in front of a box labeled House Bills — Mississippi Rep. William Tracy Arnold, R-Booneville, prepares to file bills during the first day of the 2026 Mississippi Legislative Session, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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