HOUSE
Mississippi MS-02 House2026
RACE AT A GLANCE
RACE TYPE
Incumbent running
Bennie Thompson (D)
COOK PARTISAN VOTING INDEX
Last updated : Nov 17, 2025D +50
R +50
D +11
Race summary
Despite pressure on some of Democrats’ eldest legislators to make way for a new generation of leaders, 77-year-old Rep. Bennie Thompson told Axios that he would seek an 18th term in 2026. He faces two Democratic challengers: attorney Evan Turnage, and community organizer Pertis Williams III.Key Dates
Filing Deadline: Feb 1, 2026
Primary Election: Jun 2, 2026
INCUMBENT
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INCUMBENT
Full Bio:
THOMPSON, Bennie, a Representative from Mississippi; born in Bolton, Hinds County,
Miss., January 28, 1948; B.A., Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, Miss., 1968; M.S.,
Jackson State University, Jackson, Miss., 1972; teacher; member of the Bolton,
Miss., board of aldermen, 1969-1973; Mayor of Bolton, Miss., 1973-1979; member
of the Hinds County, Miss., board of supervisors, 1980-1993; elected as a
Democrat to the One Hundred Third Congress, by special election, to fill the
vacancy caused by the resignation of United States Representative Alphonso
Michael (Mike) Espy, and reelected to the twelve succeeding Congresses (April
13, 1993-present); chair, Committee on Homeland Security (One Hundred Tenth and
One Hundred Eleventh Congresses).
Source: Bioguide
CANDIDATES
Republicans
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DISTRICT DATA
Mississippi - 02
Mississippi Delta: Jackson, Greenville, Natchez
Population Breakdown
Source: 2020 Census (VAP) for 2026
Past Presidential Results from this District
2024 Election Results
Source: Dave Leip
2020 Election Results
Source: Dave's Redistricting/VEST
RACE ANALYSIS
Race Analysis
Updated: Jul 9, 2025
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