This Tuesday, November 3, Northsiders will be going to the polls.
Nationally, the big news is whether Republicans keep control of the House and Senate. Historically, whichever party holds the White House tends to lose ground in the midterm elections.
President Trump's poll numbers are not looking good. Many political analysts expect Republicans to lose seats in the House, potentially enough to lose control. The Senate is also being contested. If Democrats regain control of either chamber, you can expect plenty of gridlock for the next two years, along with congressional investigations into various Trump administration activities.
For Northsiders, this comes down to whether incumbents Cindy Hyde-Smith, Michael Guest and Bennie Thompson win reelection.
Polls are showing that Hyde-Smith is facing a challenge from Columbus District Attorney Scott Colom, a Democrat. Hyde-Smith is just a few points ahead in some recent polls. Colom has raised more than $4 million, while Hyde-Smith has raised somewhat more.
This race has an element of a grudge match since Hyde-Smith blocked Colom's 2023 nomination to serve as a federal judge in Mississippi's Northern District. Senator Roger Wicker supported Colom.
Colom is running as a conservative Democrat, supporting gun rights and law enforcement, but also calling for an increase in the minimum wage. He wants to eliminate the federal income tax for teachers and law enforcement officers.
There's also an interesting independent in the race, Ty Pinkins, who received six percent support in a recent poll. That introduces another element of uncertainty into the race. Pinkins is a Georgetown-educated, 21-year Army veteran who criticizes both parties and supports policies associated with progressive Democrats, such as universal health care and increased public school funding.
Given that Hyde-Smith handily beat a better-financed Mike Espy in 2018 and 2020, it would be a huge upset for her to lose. And it's doubtful there will be any significant anti-Trump wave in Mississippi, where Trump received overwhelming support from white voters in 2024.
Michael Guest has won four consecutive elections as a Republican representing Mississippi's Third Congressional District. Guest faces Democrat Michael Chiaradio and Libertarian Erik Kiehle. Guest has raised considerably more money than his Democratic opponent. Kiehle has reported little campaign fundraising.
This illustrates one reason third-party candidates rarely win. They generally lack the fundraising base and party infrastructure enjoyed by the two major parties. Guest has won his previous general elections by comfortable margins.
In 2024, approximately 96 percent of incumbent U.S. representatives seeking reelection won. The built-in advantage of incumbency is huge. This provides stability and continuity, but it also creates entrenched power. Such are the pros and cons of the two-party system in the United States, which has dominated American politics for more than 150 years.
In Jackson, Democrat Bennie Thompson is seeking another term. Thompson's district includes Belhaven, Fondren, Woodland Hills and portions of northeast Jackson, while Guest's district includes Eastover and other eastern portions of northeast Jackson. Thompson's district also includes parts of Madison County, including Flora and Canton.
It's strange that a congressional district would split northeast Jackson down the middle. Such is the nature of redistricting, which is extremely political. I'd prefer districting done in a more objective manner.
Thompson's narrowest victory came in his first congressional contest against Republican Hayes Dent in 1993, when Thompson won by about 10 percentage points. If Democrats take back the House, Thompson would be in line to become chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. That's a lot of power.
Local races include a five-way contest for Hinds County district attorney to replace Jody Owens, who pleaded guilty to a federal bribery conspiracy charge and resigned.
The candidates include four women and one man, all of whom have relevant experience. It's hard to say who the favorite is in this race.
Gwen Agho is currently chief deputy district attorney, with nearly a decade in the office. She has prosecuted high-profile murder cases and reports having tried nearly 100 jury cases to verdict. Her position gives her an established prosecutorial record to present to voters.
Darla Palmer has run for district attorney twice before, in 2019 and 2023, giving her previous countywide campaign experience and some existing name recognition.
The other candidates are Greta Mack Harris, Marvin Sanders and Wendy Wilson White.
This race will be decided the old-fashioned way: hard work, experience, turnout and local reputation built over decades. Let's hope we elect someone of integrity.
Voters in Madison and Rankin counties will elect a circuit judge serving both counties.
Candidate Sarah Moulder Butler has served more than 13 years as a staff attorney for circuit judges, helping manage court dockets, research legal questions and handle civil and criminal matters. A lifelong Rankin County resident, she emphasizes judicial experience, fairness and efficient court administration.
Scott Gilbert has 20 years of litigation experience, including 10 years as a federal prosecutor and a decade in private practice. He previously worked as a police officer, firefighter and EMT. A Mississippi College law graduate, he emphasizes courtroom experience, constitutional rights and public safety.
Carter Smith has nearly 20 years of jury trial experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney. His campaign emphasizes firsthand trial experience and impartiality. His endorsements include Madison County Sheriff Randy Tucker and former Sheriff Toby Trowbridge.
There's also a contested race for chancery judge in District 11, Subdistrict 3, which includes Madison County. The seat is open because Chancellor James Walker is not seeking reelection. The candidates are Gene D. Berry, David Bridges and Alan Rhea. This is an at-large seat, with voters from Madison, Holmes, Leake and Yazoo counties participating.
David Bridges is a Madison attorney and partner at Roberts, Bridges & Boydston, specializing in family law and complex chancery matters. A 1987 Baylor Law graduate, he has twice chaired the Mississippi Bar's Family Law Section and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He emphasizes his experience with divorce, custody and guardianship cases.
Gene D. Berry is a veteran Mississippi trial attorney with more than 40 years of courtroom experience. His campaign emphasizes experience, fairness, family and community. He is campaigning on the theme "Justice. Experience. Community."
Alan Rhea is an attorney with the Carthage law firm Nettles & Rhea. He currently serves as municipal court judge in Walnut Grove, giving him experience on the bench. His practice is based in Leake County.
Incumbent Cynthia Brewer has a challenger for chancery judge in District 11, Subdistrict 2. Brewer has served approximately 24 years as a chancery judge, handling cases involving divorce, child custody, estates, guardianships and other civil matters. Before becoming a chancellor, she served four years as a Madison County Court judge and previously worked as a prosecutor in Hinds County.
Brewer's challenger is Rhonda Cooper, a Ridgeland-area attorney with 38 years of legal experience in civil litigation, probate, estate administration, domestic relations and property law.
I encourage all readers to take advantage of the Internet and get up to speed on the different candidates so you can make an informed decision. If you're not so inclined, don't vote randomly. Only vote in races where you have some measure of knowledge and insight into the candidates.
