Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District

Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District

Incumbent

Bennie Thompson

Assumed office: April 20, 1993

Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Bennie Thompson (D).

As of the 2020 Census, Mississippi representatives represented an average of 740,979 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 744,560 residents.

Elections

• 2030
• 2028
• 2026
• 2024
• 2022
• 2020
• 2018

See also: Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District election, 2030

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Mississippi, 2028

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District election, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. House Mississippi District 2

Incumbent Bennie Thompson (D), Ron Eller (R), and Bennie Foster (Independent) are running in the general election for U.S. House Mississippi District 2 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Bennie Thompson (D)
		Ron Eller (R)
		Bennie Foster (Independent)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024

General election

General election for U.S. House Mississippi District 2

Incumbent Bennie Thompson (D) defeated Ron Eller (R) in the general election for U.S. House Mississippi District 2 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bennie Thompson (D)	62.0	177,885
		Ron Eller (R)	38.0	108,956

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 286,841
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary runoff

Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Mississippi District 2

Ron Eller (R) defeated Andrew S. Smith (R) in the Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Mississippi District 2 on April 2, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ron Eller	76.8	4,837
		Andrew S. Smith	23.2	1,459

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,296
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Mississippi District 2

Incumbent Bennie Thompson (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Mississippi District 2 on March 12, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bennie Thompson	100.0	44,295

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 44,295
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Mississippi District 2

Ron Eller (R) and Andrew S. Smith (R) advanced to a runoff. They defeated Taylor Turcotte (R) in the Republican primary for U.S. House Mississippi District 2 on March 12, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ron Eller	46.6	14,991
✔		Andrew S. Smith	35.7	11,493
		Taylor Turcotte	17.6	5,675

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 32,159
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Mississippi District 2

Incumbent Bennie Thompson (D) defeated Brian Flowers (R) in the general election for U.S. House Mississippi District 2 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bennie Thompson (D)	60.1	108,285
		Brian Flowers (R)	39.9	71,884

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 180,169
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary runoff

Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Mississippi District 2

Brian Flowers (R) defeated Ron Eller (R) in the Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Mississippi District 2 on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brian Flowers	58.5	6,224
		Ron Eller	41.5	4,418

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 10,642
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Mississippi District 2

Incumbent Bennie Thompson (D) defeated Jerry Kerner (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Mississippi District 2 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bennie Thompson	96.3	49,907
	Submit photo	Jerry Kerner	3.7	1,927

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 51,834
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Mississippi District 2

Brian Flowers (R) and Ron Eller (R) advanced to a runoff. They defeated Michael Carson (R) and Stanford Johnson (R) in the Republican primary for U.S. House Mississippi District 2 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brian Flowers	43.2	6,087
✔		Ron Eller	32.4	4,564
		Michael Carson	21.0	2,966
		Stanford Johnson	3.5	487

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 14,104
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jeffrey Keuneke (R)

See also: Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Mississippi District 2

Incumbent Bennie Thompson (D) defeated Brian Flowers (R) in the general election for U.S. House Mississippi District 2 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bennie Thompson (D)	66.0	196,224
		Brian Flowers (R)	34.0	101,010

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 297,234
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary runoff

Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Mississippi District 2

Brian Flowers (R) defeated Thomas Carey (R) in the Republican primary runoff for U.S. House Mississippi District 2 on June 23, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brian Flowers	70.0	3,822
	Submit photo	Thomas Carey	30.0	1,638

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,460
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Mississippi District 2

Incumbent Bennie Thompson (D) defeated Sonia Rathburn (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Mississippi District 2 on March 10, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bennie Thompson	94.0	97,921
		Sonia Rathburn	6.0	6,256

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 104,177
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Mississippi District 2

Brian Flowers (R) and Thomas Carey (R) advanced to a runoff. They defeated B.C. Hammond (R) in the Republican primary for U.S. House Mississippi District 2 on March 10, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brian Flowers	37.8	9,883
✔	Submit photo	Thomas Carey	36.2	9,456
		B.C. Hammond	26.0	6,812

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 26,151
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Mississippi, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Mississippi District 2

Incumbent Bennie Thompson (D) defeated Troy Ray (Independent) and Irving Harris (Reform Party) in the general election for U.S. House Mississippi District 2 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bennie Thompson (D)	71.8	158,921
		Troy Ray (Independent)	21.7	48,104
	Submit photo	Irving Harris (Reform Party)	6.5	14,354

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 221,379 (100% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Mississippi District 2

Incumbent Bennie Thompson (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Mississippi District 2 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bennie Thompson	100.0	31,203

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 31,203
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Previous election results

2016

See also: Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Bennie Thompson (D) defeated John Bouie, II (R) Libertarian Johnny McLeod, and Independent Party candidate Troy Ray in the general election. Each of the candidates was unopposed in their respective primary elections.

U.S. House, Mississippi District 2 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Bennie Thompson Incumbent	67.1%	192,343
	Republican	John Bouie II	29.1%	83,542
	Independent	Troy Ray	2.4%	6,918
	Reform	Johnny McLeod	1.3%	3,823
Total Votes				286,626
Source: Mississippi Secretary of State

2014

See also: Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2014

The 2nd Congressional District of Mississippi held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Bennie Thompson (D) defeated challengers Shelley Shoemake (RP) and Troy Ray (I) in the general election.

U.S. House, Mississippi District 2 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Bennie Thompson Incumbent	67.7%	100,688
	Independent	Troy Ray	24.5%	36,465
	Reform	Shelley Shoemake	7.7%	11,493
Total Votes				148,646
Source: Mississippi Secretary of State Official Results

General election candidates

• Bennie Thompson - Incumbent a
• Shelley Shoemake
• Troy Ray

June 3, 2014, primary results

Democratic Primary

• Bennie Thompson - Incumbenta
• Damien Fairconetue

2012

See also: Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2012

The 2nd Congressional District of Mississippi held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Bennie Thompson won re-election in the district.

U.S. House, Mississippi District 2 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Bennie Thompson Incumbent	67.1%	214,978
	Republican	Bill Marcy	31%	99,160
	Independent	Cobby Williams	1.4%	4,605
	Reform	Lajena Williams	0.5%	1,501
Total Votes				320,244
Source: Mississippi Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

U.S. House, Mississippi District 2 Democratic Primary, 2012

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Bennie Thompson Incumbent	87.5%	49,083
Heather McTeer	12.5%	7,040
Total Votes		56,123

2010
On November 2, 2010, Bennie Thompson won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Bill Marcy (R) and Ashley Norwood (Reform) in the general election.

U.S. House, Mississippi District 2 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Bennie Thompson incumbent	61.5%	105,327
	Republican	Bill Marcy	37.6%	64,499
	Reform	Ashley Norwood	0.9%	1,530
Total Votes				171,356

2008
On November 4, 2008, Bennie Thompson won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Richard Cook (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Mississippi District 2 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Bennie Thompson incumbent	69.1%	201,606
	Republican	Richard Cook	30.9%	90,364
Total Votes				291,970

2006
On November 7, 2006, Bennie Thompson won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Yvonne Brown (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Mississippi District 2 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Bennie Thompson incumbent	64.3%	100,160
	Republican	Yvonne Brown	35.7%	55,672
Total Votes				155,832

2004
On November 2, 2004, Bennie Thompson won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Clinton LeSueur (R) and Shawn O'Hara (Reform) in the general election.

U.S. House, Mississippi District 2 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Bennie Thompson incumbent	58.4%	154,626
	Republican	Clinton LeSueur	40.6%	107,647
	Reform	Shawn O'Hara	1%	2,596
Total Votes				264,869

2002
On November 5, 2002, Bennie Thompson won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Clinton LeSueur (R) and Lee Dilworth (Reform) in the general election.

U.S. House, Mississippi District 2 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Bennie Thompson incumbent	55.1%	89,913
	Republican	Clinton LeSueur	42.8%	69,711
	Reform	Lee Dilworth	2.1%	3,426
Total Votes				163,050

2000
On November 7, 2000, Bennie Thompson won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Hardy Caraway (R), William Chipman (L) and Lee Dilworth (Reform) in the general election.

U.S. House, Mississippi District 2 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Bennie Thompson incumbent	65.1%	112,777
	Republican	Hardy Caraway	31.2%	54,090
	Libertarian	William Chipman	2.5%	4,305
	Reform	Lee Dilworth	1.2%	2,135
Total Votes				173,307

District map

Redistricting

2020-2021

See also: Redistricting in Mississippi after the 2020 census

Gov. Tate Reeves (R) signed the state's congressional redistricting plan—House Bill 384—on January 24, 2022. The state House of Representatives approved the plan, 75-44, on January 6, 2022, with 73 Republicans, one Democrat, and one independent voting in favor and 41 Democrats, two Republicans, and one independent voting against. The state Senate approved the new congressional map, 33-18, on January 12, 2022, with all votes in favor by Republicans and 16 Democrats and two Republicans voting against. The Mississippi Joint Legislative Committee on Redistricting approved the proposal on December 15, 2021.

After the state Senate approved the plan, Lee Sanderlin wrote in the Mississippi Clarion Ledger, “The bill preserves the current balance of congressional power in Mississippi, keeping three seats for Republicans and one for lone Democrat Bennie Thompson, D-Bolton.” Sanderlin also wrote, "This is the first time since the 1965 passage of the Voting Rights Act passed Mississippi's redistricting will go on without federal oversight after a 2013 Supreme Court decision ended the requirement certain states get federal approval for redistricting changes. A federal judge drew the congressional districts in 2002 because legislators could not agree on a map, and again in 2011 because legislators felt they didn't have enough time to do it during session."

How does redistricting in Mississippi work? In Mississippi, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. Congressional district lines are approved as regular legislation and are thus subject to veto by the governor. State legislative district boundaries are approved as a joint resolution; as such, they are not subject to gubernatorial veto.

If the legislature cannot approve a state legislative redistricting plan, a five-member commission must draw the lines. This commission comprises the chief justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court, the attorney general, the secretary of state, and the majority leaders of the Mississippi State Senate and the Mississippi House of Representatives.

The Mississippi Constitution requires that state legislative district boundaries be contiguous. State statutes further require that state legislative districts "be compact and cross political boundaries as little as possible."

2020

2024

2010-2011

This is the 2nd Congressional District of Mississippi after the 2001 redistricting process.

See also: Redistricting in Mississippi after the 2010 census

In 2011, the Mississippi State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2026

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is D+11. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 11 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Mississippi's 2nd the 120th most Democratic district nationally.

2024

Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+11. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 11 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Mississippi's 2nd the 122nd most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have defeated Donald Trump (R) 62.5%-36.4%.

2022

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+11. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 11 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Mississippi's 2nd the 121st most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 62.5% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 36.4%.

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+14. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 14 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District the 94th most Democratic nationally.

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 0.95. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.95 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in Mississippi
• Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024
• Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District election, 2022
• Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020
• Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 2

Footnotes

[show]

Mississippi's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)

Roger Wicker (R)

Representatives

District 1

Trent Kelly (R)

District 2

Bennie Thompson (D)

District 3

Michael Guest (R)

District 4

Mike Ezell (R)

Republican Party (5)

Democratic Party (1)