Magnolia Tribune breaks down each State Senate seat up for grabs in Mississippi’s 2023 elections and the doubtless steadiness of energy in 2024.

Mississippi elections are upon us. All 52 seats within the Mississippi State Senate can be on the poll this yr. 

The Main can be held on August eighth, with the Common Election on November seventh.

At the moment, Republicans get pleasure from a 36-16 majority within the Senate. With the qualifying deadline behind us, it seems the GOP will doubtless keep that margin.

An entire itemizing of every district’s qualifying candidates and the doubtless final result of the races is contained within the desk under.

There are 31 seats presently held by a Republican the place the Republican candidate is operating and not using a Democratic opponent. A handful of these races do embody independents or third-party candidates, however standard knowledge in a two-party system of presidency is that the most important political celebration will prevail.

There are 5 races the place a present Republican-held seat drew a Democratic opponent. Three are in Desoto County, a deeply conservative space of the state that’s unlikely to see a Democratic candidate emerge victorious.

Democrats even have a candidate in Districts 10 and 40. In District 10, Senator Neil Whaley can be challenged, once more, by Democrat Andre DeBerry. Whaley defeated DeBerry by greater than 15 factors 4 years in the past and the district has been made extra Republican post-redistricting. In District 40, Senator Angela Hill is being challenged by Andy Rishton within the main. She ought to win that earlier than going through Thomas Lehr within the normal election. Hill defeated Lehr by greater than 50 factors in 2019.

Twelve Democrats don’t have a Republican opponent, however one fascinating race with an impartial could also be on the desk. In District 38, Senator Kelvin Butler opted to run for re-election as an Unbiased. Gary Brumfield, who Butler defeated in a non-partisan particular election in 2021, would be the Democratic nominee. That’s most likely sufficient on this district, however Butler is well-known, beforehand serving within the Senate from 2004 to 2015. Regardless, the winner will caucus with the Democrats. 

Two Democratic districts are value noting, if for no different purpose than as a result of there merely gained’t be every other excessive profile normal election contests. Republican Robert Mitchell is difficult Democratic Senator Hob Bryan in District 7. Democratic Senator Joseph Thomas faces Republican Chastity Magyar. Magyar’s household is properly linked in Yazoo County, however that district, together with District 7, are doubtless past the Republican attain. 

Main Contests Could Be Greatest Story

Given the circumstances of virtually each Mississippi Senate seat being secure for both Republicans or Democrats, essentially the most fascinating story traces might happen within the primaries. In Senate District 1 in DeSoto County, incumbent Republican Michael McLendon has drawn as a challenger in Steve Hopkins. Hopkins is vacating his seat within the Mississippi Home to problem McLendon. One other DeSoto seat that has drawn a main contest is Senate District 19, the place incumbent Republican Kevin Blackwell has drawn a problem from Walter Hopper.

Tupelo-area Senator Chad McMahan likewise has drawn a Republican challenger in Lauren Smith. Oxford-area Senator Nicole Boyd has drawn a Republican challenger in Ricky Caldwell. Starkville-area Senator Bart Williams has drawn a Republican challenger in Alan Sibley. Hattiesburg-area Senator Joey Fillingane has drawn a Republican challenger in Robert Cole. Coast Senators Philip Moran and Mike Seymour additionally drew Republican challengers in Philman Ladner and Scott Strickland, respectively.

Most of those Republican main contests arrange as Senate “staff gamers” versus candidates making an attempt to run to the proper flank of the incumbent. In some ways, this dynamic mimics the first race for Lt. Governor between incumbent Delbert Hosemann and challenger State Senator Chris McDaniel.

One remaining fascinating be aware. Democratic Senator Barbara Blackmon drew a main challenger – her son Bradford. One can solely assume that this can be a handoff of the seat, not proof of a household feud, and that Senator Blackmon can be withdrawing from the race in some unspecified time in the future.