Mississippi Will Hold Special House Elections November 3
Voters in Districts 70 and 77 head to the polls to fill vacancies following the deaths of two state representatives.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Elections
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Mississippi will conduct special elections for House Districts 70 and 77 on November 3, 2026. These contests are being held to fill the seats vacated by the deaths of Representatives Bo Brown and Price Wallace.
Why it matters
The outcome of these elections will determine who represents these districts for the remainder of the terms through 2027. Voters will select from seven total candidates across both districts to serve until the next regular election cycle.
Three candidates are running for the District 70 seat, while four candidates are competing for the District 77 seat. These elections follow the deaths of former Representatives Bo Brown and Price Wallace.
The players
Imelda Brown
She is a candidate for the Mississippi House District 70 seat.
Marcus Cheatham
He is a candidate for the Mississippi House District 70 seat.
James Lott III
He is currently serving as a Ward 6 alderman in Clinton and is a candidate for District 70.
Christopher Dunn
He is a candidate for the Mississippi House District 77 seat.
Dianne McNair-Gaddis
She is a candidate for the Mississippi House District 77 seat with 30 years of professional experience.
The details
Candidates in these special elections are required to run as nonpartisan, though winners may declare a party affiliation once sworn in. Successful candidates will serve through 2027 and will be eligible to run for a full term in the 2027 regular election.
Timeline
July 10, 2026: James Lott III announced his candidacy.
July 23, 2026: Marcus Cheatham announced his candidacy.
July 26, 2026: Imelda Brown announced her candidacy.
November 3, 2026: The special elections are held.
January 2027: Winners are sworn in at the state capitol.
Political Context
Opponents of the current special election rules have raised concerns regarding the nonpartisan nature of the ballot, which limits the ability of voters to identify candidate party alignments before casting their votes. This structure marks a departure from standard party-affiliated primaries typically seen in general state legislative election cycles.
Residents of Hinds, Rankin, and Simpson counties will decide who represents their interests in the state house for the remainder of the current term. Voters should note that candidates appear on the ballot without party designations, making it essential to research individual policy stances before the November 3 election.
The takeaway
These special elections offer an opportunity for residents to influence local legislative representation before the 2027 regular cycle. Voters interested in participation should verify their polling location and district affiliation ahead of the November 3 election date.
What happens next
Winners of the special elections will be sworn in at the state capitol in January 2027.
Further reading
For more information on the upcoming contests, visit the Mississippi Elections portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SuperTalk Mississippi Media.
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