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Congressional qualifying ends in...

Congressional qualifying ends in Mississippi. See who’s running for Congress in 2022.

By: Frank Corder - March 2, 2022

Every incumbent U.S. Representative in the state will have a Primary and General Election challenge.

Heading into the 2022 midterms, it was assumed the most robust contest in the cycle would be in South Mississippi’s 4th Congressional District. That is still the case. However, with the qualifying period now closed, all of the state’s U.S. Representatives drew Primary challengers and all four will have an opponent in the November General Election.

The Primary Election is June 7th, and the General Election is November 8th.

Based on the candidates who have qualified in the short Primary Election season, the incumbents in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Congressional Districts remain the odds-on favorites to win their Primary and then win re-election in the General Election. Those incumbents are Trent Kelly (R), Bennie Thompson (D), and Michael Guest (R), respectively.

In the 4th Congressional District, Republican incumbent Steven Palazzo has the tallest task if he is to win a seventh term. There are six GOP challengers, and at least two have reasonable name ID and campaign networks, making the possibility of a run-off more likely than not. Although, recent internal polling from the Palazzo campaign has shown him with a sizeable lead in both name ID and favorability.

The 2022 midterms will be the first elections held under the new Congressional Districts drawn by the Mississippi Legislature. The new maps were adopted in January and signed into law by Governor Tate Reeves soon thereafter.

Below is a list of who is running in each of Mississippi’s Congressional Districts along with a district rating by party:

1st District – Safe Republican

Republicans

  • Trent Kelly – incumbent
  • Mark David Strauss

Democrats

  • Hunter Avery
  • Dianne Black

2nd District – Safe Democrat

Republicans

  • Michael Carson
  • Ronald Eller
  • Brian Flowers
  • Stanford Johnson

Democrats

  • Bennie Thompson – incumbent
  • Jerry Kerner

3rd District – Safe Republican

Republicans

  • Michael Guest – incumbent
  • Michael Cassidy
  • Thomas Griffin

Democrats

  • Rahim Talley
  • Shuwaski Young

4th District – Safe Republican

Republicans

  • Steven Palazzo – incumbent
  • Carl Boyanton
  • Raymond Brooks
  • Mike Ezell
  • Kidron Peterson
  • Clay Wagner
  • Brice Wiggins

Democrats

  • Johnny DuPree
  • David Sellers

Libertarian

  • Alden Patrick Johnson
About the Author(s)
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Frank Corder

For nearly two decades, Frank Corder has reported and offered analysis on government, public policy, elections, business and matters of faith. He is the Editor for Magnolia Tribune where he oversees the day-to-day content development. Frank’s interviews, articles, and columns have been syndicated throughout Mississippi as well as in various national publications. His resume includes appearances on the BBC, CBS News, ABC News, and Fox News, among others. Frank is a frequent analyst on radio and television, providing insight and commentary on the inner workings of the Magnolia State and beyond. During his career, Frank has interviewed government officials and candidates from City Halls to the White House, including Presidential candidates, White House officials, U.S. Senators, Congressmen, Cabinet Secretaries, and Governors. He previously hosted his own local radio and television programs and has managed private businesses in the financial, hospitality, and retail sectors. Frank has served his community as an elected City Councilman and as an Assistant/Acting City Manager. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, he led the effort to plan Pascagoula's recovery and rebuilding which earned him recognition as Mississippi's Volunteer of the Year. Frank also led Pascagoula's municipal government out of a $14.5 million deficit, which the Mississippi State Auditor heralded as a model for other communities facing dire financial straits. As the president of the Pascagoula High School Quarterback Club, Frank has self-published "The Book of Pascagoula Football." He has been married for over 25 years and has two children, both of whom work in public education. Email Frank: frank@magnoliatribune.com