Mississippi isn't exactly a place known for political rollercoasters. Honestly, if you’ve lived here long enough, you kind of expect the "Red Wall" to hold firm. But looking back at the Mississippi election results 2024, there’s a lot more to the story than just the standard Republican sweep. While the top of the ticket went exactly as the pundits predicted, the judicial races and shifting margins in the Delta tell a much more nuanced story about where the Magnolia State is heading.
Donald Trump didn't just win Mississippi; he basically dominated it. He cleared over 60% of the popular vote, a feat that hasn't been seen in this state since Ronald Reagan’s landslide in 1984. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Kamala Harris, meanwhile, pulled in about 38%. That might sound like a typical gap for a Deep South state, but it’s the first time in twenty years that a Democratic presidential candidate failed to hit the 40% mark here.
The Breakdown of the Presidential Race
The numbers from the Secretary of State’s office are pretty stark. Trump garnered 747,744 votes, while Harris finished with 466,668. If you’re a data nerd, the most interesting part isn’t the total—it’s the shift. Almost every single county moved toward the Republican column compared to 2020. Even Sharkey County, which stayed blue, saw its margins tighten.
You’ve got to look at the Delta to see the real surprises. Historically, the 2nd Congressional District—Bennie Thompson’s turf—is a Democratic stronghold. While Thompson held his seat (more on that in a second), the presidential margins within those majority-Black counties actually shifted rightward. It’s a trend we saw nationally, but seeing it play out in places like Humphreys and Coahoma was a bit of a shock to local organizers.
Incumbency is King in the House
Mississippi’s congressional delegation stayed exactly the same. No surprises there. Our four House members all kept their jobs, and for the most part, it wasn't even close.
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- Trent Kelly (District 1): He locked down the northeast part of the state with nearly 70% of the vote. It’s a region that remains deeply conservative, covering places like Tupelo and Oxford.
- Bennie Thompson (District 2): The lone Democrat in the bunch. He won with about 62% against Republican Ron Eller. Thompson has been in office since 1993, and his grip on the Delta remains the strongest piece of the Democratic puzzle in Mississippi.
- Michael Guest (District 3): Guest actually ran unopposed in the general. That’s about as safe as a seat gets.
- Mike Ezell (District 4): Down on the Gulf Coast, Ezell cruised to victory with roughly 77% of the vote.
The U.S. Senate race was similarly lopsided. Roger Wicker secured another term by defeating Democrat Ty Pinkins. Wicker ended up with roughly 63% of the total vote. Pinkins, an Army veteran and lawyer, ran a spirited campaign, but the structural advantages of a Republican incumbent in Mississippi are just massive.
The Real Drama: The Supreme Court Shakeup
If you want to find the real "news" in the Mississippi election results 2024, you have to look at the nonpartisan judicial races. This is where things got wild.
For years, the Mississippi Supreme Court has been a mix of staunch conservatives and a few "centrists" who occasionally buck the trend. That changed this cycle. In the Central District, incumbent Justice Jim Kitchens—a 16-year veteran of the court often viewed as a moderate—found himself in the fight of his life.
After the November 5th general election didn't produce a majority winner, Kitchens went to a runoff against State Senator Jenifer Branning. The Republican Party threw its full weight behind Branning, and it worked. On November 26, Branning pulled off a narrow victory with 50.6% of the vote. It was a razor-thin margin—about 1,400 votes—but it marks a significant shift. The court is now undeniably more conservative than it was a year ago.
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And Kitchens wasn't the only one. Justice Dawn Beam also lost her seat in the South Mississippi district to David Sullivan. While Sullivan also identifies as a conservative, he ran on a platform of criminal justice reform. It’s a weird, contradictory outcome that shows Mississippi voters aren't just robots—they’ll fire an incumbent if they think it’s time for a change, even in the judiciary.
Why These Results Still Matter
You might think, "Okay, so Republicans won in a Republican state. Big deal." But the 2024 cycle revealed some cracks in the old way of doing things.
First off, the "ground game" changed. Despite some legal drama regarding absentee ballots—the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals actually ruled against Mississippi's law allowing ballots to arrive after Election Day—turnout remained decent at about 57.5%.
Secondly, the lack of ballot initiatives was felt. There were zero statewide ballot measures in 2024. Why? Because our initiative process is basically broken. Ever since the state Supreme Court threw out the medical marijuana initiative a few years back on a technicality related to congressional districts, the people haven't had a direct way to change state law. The fact that the legislature hasn't fixed this yet was a quiet but persistent talking point at the polls.
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Actionable Insights for Mississippi Voters
The dust has settled, but the impact of these results will be felt for the next four to eight years, especially in the courts. Here is what you should be watching:
1. Monitor the Supreme Court: With two new justices, the way the court handles appeals on everything from civil rights to corporate liability is going to change. Keep an eye on how Branning and Sullivan vote in their first term.
2. Watch the 2027 State Elections: The 2024 results are a massive tailwind for Republicans heading into the next gubernatorial cycle. If the Democrats couldn't crack 40% in a presidential year, they have a massive mountain to climb to challenge for the Governor’s mansion.
3. Demand a New Initiative Process: If you’re frustrated that you couldn't vote on specific issues like healthcare or taxes this year, the only path forward is through the state legislature. Contact your representative and ask where they stand on restoring the ballot initiative process.
4. Check Your Registration: Mississippi is strict about voting rules. If you moved or didn't vote this time, make sure your status is still "active" before the local municipal elections roll around.
The 2024 cycle proved that Mississippi is doubling down on its current trajectory. While the national media focuses on swing states, the real story here was the quiet consolidation of power in the judicial branch and the further erosion of the Democratic base in rural counties. It wasn't a "change" election for the big seats, but for the state's highest court, it was a total transformation.