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Few contested judicial races for...

Few contested judicial races for Mississippi voters to decide in November

By: Frank Corder - September 15, 2026

(Photo from Shutterstock)

  • Here is a rundown of the contested judicial races across Mississippi on the ballot this November 3.

Much has been made about Mississippi’s federal midterm elections for U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. Yet, when voters go to the polls on November 3, they will also be asked to elect judges in the Magnolia State’s Chancery and Circuit Court districts as well as seats on the Court of Appeals.

Many of the judicial seats up for grabs feature a single candidate running unopposed in the non-partisan elections. This is not uncommon as judicial races do not typically draw a crowded field.

Of the five Court of Appeals elections, only one is contested, meaning there is more than one candidate on the ballot.

There are 57 Chancery races with 14 contested while there are 63 Circuit races with 11 contested.

Here is a rundown of the contested judicial races across Mississippi on the ballot this November.

Court of Appeals

District 1, Position 1

  • Derek Hopson Jr.
  • John Weddle

Chancery Court

District 3, Place 1

  • Ginger Miller
  • Jay Westfaul

District 4, Place 3

  • Debbra Halford
  • Ashunda Hampton

District 5, Place 3

  • Bridgett Clayton
  • Tametrice Hodges

District 7, Place 2

  • Willie Perkins
  • W. M. Sanders

District 8, Place 4

  • Haley Broom
  • Stephen Maggio
  • Frances Yeatts

District 9, Place 2

  • Vicki Barnes
  • Penny Lawson

District 11, Place 2

  • Cynthia Brewer
  • Rhonda Cooper

District 11, Place 3

  • Gene Berry
  • David Bridges
  • Alan Rhea

District 13, Place 2

  • George Schmidt
  • John Smallwood
  • Zachary Vaughn

District 16, Place 1

  • D. Neil Harris
  • Jennifer Harris
  • Matthew Pavlov

District 17, Place 2

  • Elizabeth Owens
  • William Scott

District 17, Place 3

  • Gwen Baptist
  • Malenda Meacham

District 18, Place 1

  • Janessa Hicks
  • Sarah Liddy
  • Jennifer Shackelford
  • Michael Watts

District 20, Place 1

  • Bo Agney
  • Keri Carroll
  • Michael Wolfe

Circuit Court

District 3, Place 2

  • Bart Adams
  • Shirley Byers
  • Steven Judera

District 11, Place 2

  • Stephanie Morris-Harris
  • David Tisdell

District 14, Place 2

  • Brendon Adams
  • Matt Kitchens
  • Albert Turnage

District 15, Place 2

  • Ryan Bruhl
  • Prentiss Harrell

District 18, Place 1

  • Brad Thompson
  • Eric Tiebauer

District 19, Place 1

  • Matt Lachaussee
  • Justin Lovorn

District 19, Place 2

  • Kathy King Jackson
  • Leilani Tynes

District 20, Place 1

  • Sarah Butler
  • Scott Gilbert
  • Carter Smith

District 21, Place 1

  • Joseph Neyman
  • Gordon Shaw Jr.

District 21, Place 4

  • Lucius Edwards
  • John Hughes

District 22

  • Tim Howard
  • Akillie Oliver
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