Who's running in Mississippi's 4th 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 · Mike Ezell currently holds this seat
Low confidenceLow confidenceOnly one weak source, dated material, or indirect evidence. Treat specifics with caution.What would raise it: An official filing record and at least one independent report about this candidate would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Supporting active-duty servicemembers and veterans.
Defending constitutional rights.
Cutting taxes and reducing 'burdensome regulations'.
Opposing 'the radical left's agenda that would take our country down the wrong path.'
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Mississippi's 4th District since January 2023; former Jackson County sheriff.
Chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee; vice chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
Won the March 10, 2026 Republican primary over Sawyer Walters.
Had about $108,000 cash on hand before the primary, per Magnolia Tribune.
Arguments in favor
President Trump endorsed Ezell for re-election, as he did in 2024.
— President Donald Trump, per Wikipedia's race page and Roll Call
Arguments against
Ezell 'isn't conservative enough': 'Since getting to Washington, well, he's been a busy bee for the establishment,' voting with Nancy Pelosi to raise the debt limit, backing COVID-19 vaccine requirements for airline pilots and voting 16 times for Kevin McCarthy as speaker.
— Carl Boyanton, independent opponent, in 2024 primary ads (Roll Call)
What we couldn’t verify
No 2026 criticism of Ezell by his Democratic opponent Jeffrey Hulum III, the DCCC or the Mississippi Democratic Party was found. Searched: 'Mike Ezell' with Hulum, DCCC, criticism and Medicaid; WLOX, Sun Herald, WDAM and Magnolia Tribune coverage.
Boyanton's criticism dates from the 2024 primary; his 2026 message was not found.
His campaign website address could not be confirmed.
An economy that works for working families 'instead of just corporations', including affordable groceries and a living wage.
Investment in rural communities, reliable infrastructure and broadband.
Support for veterans and military families.
Fully funded public schools that prepare children for local jobs.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Mississippi House of Representatives, District 119, since 2022; serves on the House's gaming, marine resources, military affairs, tourism and ports committees.
Retired US Army sergeant major; Bronze Star recipient.
Won the March 10, 2026 Democratic primary with about 59% in early returns.
Had no FEC report on file as of the March primary, per Magnolia Tribune.
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 Hulum by a named outside group, party or opponent was found, so none is listed; his case is in his positions. Searched: 'Jeffrey Hulum' with Ezell, endorsement, criticism and NRCC; WLOX, Sun Herald, Mississippi Today and Magnolia Tribune coverage.
A more conservative, anti-establishment representative than Ezell, based on his 2024 campaign.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office; Republican primary candidate for this seat in 2020, 2022 and 2024.
Put more than $500,000 of his own money into his 2024 campaign, per Roll Call.
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
Boyanton's 2026 positions could not be found; his described stance comes from 2024 coverage. No argument for or against his 2026 independent campaign was found.
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. After the US Supreme Court's Louisiana v. Callais decision, Gov. Tate Reeves said Republicans intend to redraw the congressional map, but not before this election because the March primaries had already been held; congressional redistricting is expected in 2027. Primaries were held March 10, 2026. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia, WLOX, Magnolia Tribune and SuperTalk Mississippi: Republican Rep. Mike Ezell, who beat Sawyer Walters in his primary; Democratic state Rep. Jeffrey Hulum III, who beat Paul Blackman and D. Ryan Grover; and independent Carl Boyanton. An American Independent Conservative Party filer, Charles Claburn, did not make the ballot. The district covers southeast Mississippi and the Gulf Coast, including Gulfport, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, Pascagoula, Bay St. Louis and Laurel. 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.