Who's running in Mississippi's 2nd congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
3 candidates · ballot order · Bennie Thompson currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Using his seniority to deliver for the district, including chairing Homeland Security if Democrats win the House.
Resolving the partial government shutdown.
Transparency about the war in Iran.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Mississippi's 2nd District since 1993; ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee; chaired the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack.
Won the March 10, 2026 Democratic primary with 86%; reelected with 62% over Ron Eller in 2024.
Had more than $1.5 million in campaign funds after the primary, per Magnolia Tribune.
Listed by Wikipedia among people pardoned by President Joe Biden.
Endorsed by the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund.
Arguments in favor
'His leadership and decades of service to the district and the state of Mississippi is nothing that should be forgotten. He has served his district well.'
— Dyamone White, Bolton business owner, quoted by the Associated Press
Thompson is popular and trusted in the Delta, visits local groups like the Greenwood Voters League every year, and 'has not publicly demonstrated any sort of physical or cognitive decline.'
— Kevin Edwards, Mississippi Free Press opinion essay
Arguments against
Thompson 'has left the people of Mississippi's Second District behind'; 'though former President Biden was forced to pardon Bennie Thompson for his wrongdoing this congressional term, I'm hopeful that the people of the second district will not pardon him again.'
— Ron Eller, Republican opponent (Magnolia Tribune)
The district has remained 'the poorest district in the poorest state in the nation' through Thompson's tenure: 'Our people cannot afford another decade of the same.'
'The tenure of Congressman Bennie Thompson raining terror on the 2nd Congressional District is over. It is not a question of if, it's a question of when.'
— Gov. Tate Reeves (R), on redrawing the district (Democracy Docket, Magnolia Tribune)
What we couldn’t verify
The loaded sources do not describe any charge underlying the pardon Eller refers to; Biden's pardon was not explained in them.
His campaign website address could not be confirmed.
Whether debates will be held had not been reported.
Leadership aligned with President Trump, focused on economic growth, secure borders and voter integrity.
Lower taxes.
A stronger education system.
Expanded energy options for the district.
Job skills for people leaving prison to break the 'revolving door' of recidivism.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office; Republican nominee for this seat in 2024 (38%); lost the 2022 Republican runoff.
Won the March 10, 2026 Republican primary with 50.9%, carrying 22 of 30 counties, per his campaign.
Had about $37,000 cash on hand before the primary, per Magnolia Tribune.
Endorsed by the Log Cabin Republicans.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published argument for or against Eller by a named outside group, party, opponent or outlet was found, so none is listed; his case is in his positions. Searched: 'Ron Eller' with Thompson, Kevin Wilson, criticism, endorsement and Democrats; Magnolia Tribune, Mississippi Today, Mississippi Free Press, WLBT and Natchez Democrat coverage. Primary opponent Kevin Wilson had not conceded or endorsed him as of late March.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is Mississippi's general election. US House races are decided by plurality with no runoff, as the Secretary of State's office confirmed in September 2026. The map did not change for 2026, but this district is the focus of a planned redraw: after the US Supreme Court's Louisiana v. Callais decision, Gov. Tate Reeves said Republicans intend to redraw the congressional map and end Thompson's hold on the state's only majority-Black district, but not before this election because the March primaries had already been held. The Legislature's redistricting committee held public hearings in September 2026, with congressional redistricting expected in 2027. Primaries were held March 10, 2026. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia, Magnolia Tribune and SuperTalk Mississippi: Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson, who won his primary with 86% over Evan Turnage and Pertis Williams III; Republican Ron Eller, who won his with 50.9% over Adams County Supervisor Kevin Wilson; and independent Bennie Foster. The district covers 28 to 30 counties along the Mississippi River and the Delta, including most of Jackson, Greenville, Greenwood, Clarksdale, Vicksburg and Natchez. Thompson beat Eller 62% to 38% in 2024. The candidate order here follows the published candidate listings, with the incumbent first; it is not verified ballot order and implies no ranking.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Mississippi ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Mississippi Secretary of State.