Mississippi runoff election for state Supreme Court justice is too close to call

A closely contested runoff election for the state Supreme Court in Mississippi between state Sen. Jenifer Branning and incumbent Justice Jim Kitchens is currently too close to call. As of Wednesday morning, Branning held a narrow lead of 2,678 votes out of 120,610 votes counted. However, Kitchens is not far behind, and the outcome of the race will likely be determined by absentee and affidavit ballots.

Despite the fact that Mississippi judicial candidates do not run with party labels, Branning had the endorsement of the Republican Party, while Kitchens received support from several Democratic Party donors but did not secure an official endorsement. Branning, who has served as a state senator since 2016, initially led Kitchens by 518 votes just after midnight on Wednesday.

The runoff election took place in District 1, also known as the Central District, which encompasses the Delta region through the Jackson metro area and over to the Alabama border. Branning, a self-described “constitutional conservative,” has emphasized her opposition to “liberal, activist judges” and “the radical left.” She has a background as a special prosecutor in Neshoba County and as a staff attorney in the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Division of Business Services and Regulations.

In contrast, Kitchens has been practicing law for over four decades and has served on the Mississippi Supreme Court since 2008. He previously worked as a district attorney and has garnered endorsements from the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Action Fund and Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss. Kitchens has made headlines for his stance on death row cases, including a recent decision to side with a man on death row after a key witness recanted her testimony.

The runoff election has been closely watched, as voter turnout typically decreases between general elections and runoffs. Campaigns have noted the challenge of mobilizing voters just two days before Thanksgiving. The outcome of this election is crucial, as the victor will likely serve as the more senior of the court’s two presiding justices, positioning them next in line to serve as chief justice.

In a separate runoff election for an open seat on the Mississippi Court of Appeals, Amy St. Pe’ emerged victorious. She will succeed Judge Joel Smith, who did not seek re-election. The district covers the southeastern corner of the state, including the Gulf Coast.

As the race for the state Supreme Court in Mississippi remains too close to call, all eyes are on the outcome of the runoff election between Branning and Kitchens. Both candidates bring distinct perspectives and experiences to the table, making this a critical moment in the state’s judicial landscape.