Mississippi becomes the fourth state in the nation to hold primary elections in this election cycle.
Races for the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives are drawing significant attention as the results will shape the competitive landscape for the November general election.
U.S. Senate Race
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican, Mississippi) is running for re-election. She was appointed to the Senate in 2018 and won her election in 2020.
Hyde-Smith's campaign focuses on several issues:
- illegal immigration control
- gun ownership rights
- anti-abortion stance
President Trump, who previously declared that the golden age of America has arrived, has expressed strong support for Hyde-Smith in this election.
In messages to voters on social media, President Trump wrote that Hyde-Smith represents the MAGA movement and serves the people of Mississippi well.
Hyde-Smith faces a Republican primary challenger, Sarah Adlakha, a Mississippi physician.
Adlakha calls for expanding healthcare access, tax cuts, and increased defense spending.
She also emphasizes the importance of military bases and the shipbuilding industry in Mississippi to the local economy.
Democratic Party Race
Two candidates seeking the Democratic nomination include:
- Scott Colom, a District Attorney in Mississippi
- Albert Littell, a social policy activist
Colom was twice nominated by former President Joe Biden to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, but the Senate did not confirm him.
Colom's campaign focuses on crime reduction, particularly following recent drug sweeps in Mississippi, and local economic development.
Littell's platform calls for:
- expanding mental health services
- lowering prescription drug prices
- increasing the minimum wage in Mississippi
U.S. House of Representatives Elections
All four congressional districts in Mississippi are holding primary elections.
In District 1, incumbent Representative Trent Kelly (Republican) is running for another term and has no primary challenger.
Two Democratic candidates are competing for the chance to face Kelly:
- Cliff Johnson, a law professor
- Kevin Buck, a former Mississippi state representative
Johnson emphasizes policy priorities including:
- improving education quality
- reducing healthcare costs
- lowering food prices
In District 2, Congressman Bennie Thompson (Democrat) seeks to retain the seat he has held since 1993.
Thompson has received support from numerous social organizations and has consistently supported voting rights bills in the region.
Attorney Evan Turnage is challenging Thompson in the Democratic primary.
Turnage calls for:
- banning members of Congress from trading stocks
- limiting corporate money in politics
- lobbying reform
The results of the March 10, 2026, primary elections will determine which candidates will appear on the ballot for the November 2026 general election.
