JACKSON, Miss. — In Mississippi, there are currently three competitive U.S. House races, with one incumbent anticipated to secure another term without any opposition in the upcoming general election.
**HOUSE DISTRICT 1**
In the 1st Congressional District of northern Mississippi, Republican incumbent Trent Kelly is set to contend against Democratic opponent Dianne Dodson Black. This election marks a repeat of the 2022 battle, which Kelly won. A former district attorney, Kelly has represented this district since he was elected during a special election in 2015 and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee.
Black, a business entrepreneur, has expressed her intent to back President Joe Biden’s economic initiatives, advocate for the restoration of abortion rights, and propose limitations on semiautomatic firearm access. As for fundraising, Kelly’s campaign has brought in nearly $1.2 million and spent around $893,000 by mid-October, whereas Black’s efforts attracted approximately $9,400 in contributions, with expenditures around $7,400.
**HOUSE DISTRICT 2**
Democratic Representative Bennie Thompson is facing a challenge from Republican Ron Eller in the 2nd District, which includes much of Jackson alongside rural sections of the Delta and the Mississippi River. Thompson, with an extensive political history, previously served as the mayor of Bolton and held the position of Hinds County supervisor. He has the distinction of being the longest-serving member of Mississippi’s current congressional representation, having first won a special election in 1993. He plays a significant role as the ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee and led the committee’s investigation into the events of January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol.
Eller, a military veteran and physician assistant, previously sought the Republican nomination for this district in 2022 but was unsuccessful. He is known to support the construction of border walls along the U.S.-Mexico border and advocates for increasing domestic energy production. Thompson’s campaign had raised just over $1 million and incurred similar expenses through mid-October, while Eller raised nearly $48,000 and spent around $17,800.
**HOUSE DISTRICT 3**
In the 3rd District of central Mississippi, Republican Rep. Michael Guest is running unopposed in both the primary and general elections. Guest, a former district attorney, has been in office since 2018 and currently chairs the House Ethics Committee while also serving as vice chairman of the Homeland Security Committee.
**HOUSE DISTRICT 4**
Meanwhile, in south Mississippi’s 4th District, Republican Rep. Mike Ezell is competing against Democratic challenger Craig Elliot Raybon. Ezell, who has a notable 42-year career in law enforcement—including eight years as Jackson County sheriff—was elected to the House in 2022. His voting record includes supporting the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and calls to cease military aid to Ukraine.
Raybon, a newcomer to the political arena, aims to prioritize raising the minimum wage, enhancing vocational training opportunities, and reducing the cost of prescription medications. Ezell’s campaign has reported raising and spending about $1 million through mid-October, whereas campaign finance details for Raybon remain unavailable.