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Mississippi House of Representatives District 88
Mississippi House of Representatives District 88 is represented by Charles Blackwell (R).
As of the 2020 Census, Mississippi state representatives represented an average of 24,294 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 24,412 residents.
About the office
Members of the Mississippi House of Representatives serve four-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Mississippi legislators assume office the Tuesday after the first Monday of January.[1]
Qualifications
Section 41 of Article 4 of the Mississippi Constitution states, "No person shall be a member of the House of Representatives who shall not have attained the age of twenty-one (21) years, and who shall not be a qualified elector of the State, and who shall not have been a resident citizen of the State for four (4) years, and within the district such person seeks to serve for two (2) years, immediately preceding his election."[2]
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[3] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $23,500/year | For senators: $166/day. For representatives: $157/day. |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Mississippi State Legislature, a special election is required to fill the vacant seat. The governor must call for an election no later than 30 days after the vacancy happened. After the governor sets the election date, the counties conducting the election must be given at least 60 days' notice before the election. All qualifying deadlines are 50 days before the election.[4]
The governor can choose not to issue a writ of election if the vacancy occurs in the same calendar year as the general election for state officials.[4]
See sources: Mississippi Code Ann. § 23-15-851
District map
Redistricting
2020 redistricting cycle
On July 3, 2025, the state filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court of part of a May 7, 2025, federal three-judge panel decision that led to redrawn districts and special elections. The state said the appeal would not affect the special elections.[5]
A legal challenge to the state legislative maps had resulted in a three-judge panel ordering the state to add two new majority-Black Senate districts and one new majority-Black House district by the end of the 2025 legislative session.[6] The legislature approved the new maps on March 5, 2025.[7] On April 15, 2025, a three-judge panel ordered the legislature to redraw the Senate district in DeSoto County and gave the State Board of Election Commissioners seven days to submit a new map.[8] The panel approved revised maps from the Mississippi Election Commission on May 7, 2025, and special elections in the affected districts were scheduled for November 4, 2025.[9]
Mississippi enacted new state legislative district boundaries on March 31, 2022, when both legislative chambers approved district maps for the other chamber.[10] Legislative redistricting in Mississippi is done via a joint resolution and did not require Gov. Tate Reeves' (R) approval.[10] Emily Wagster Pettus of the Associated Press wrote that "Republican legislative leaders said the redistricting plans are likely to maintain their party's majority in each chamber."[11] Pettus also wrote that "Senate President Pro Tempore Dean Kirby of Pearl said the Senate redistricting plan keeps the same number of Republican-leaning and Democratic-leaning districts as now."[11]
Redistricting of the state Senate was approved by the Senate on March 29, 2022, by a vote of 45-7, with 31 Republicans and 14 Democrats in favor and five Republicans and two Democrats voting against.[12] The state House approved the Senate's district boundaries on March 31, 2022, by a vote of 68-49. Sixty-two Republicans, three Democrats, and three independents voted in favor and 35 Democrats and 14 Republicans voted against.[13]
New district boundaries for the Mississippi House of Representatives were approved by the House on March 29, 2022, by an 81-38 vote. Seventy-three Republicans, five Democrats, and three independents voted to enact the new map and 36 Democrats and two Republicans voted against it.[14] The Mississippi Senate approved the House map—41 to 8—on March 31, 2022, with 34 Republicans and seven Democrats voting in favor and all eight votes against by Democrats.[15]
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.[16]
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.[16]
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."[16]
Mississippi House of Representatives District 88
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Mississippi House of Representatives District 88
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2023
See also: Mississippi House of Representatives elections, 2023
General election
General election for Mississippi House of Representatives District 88
Charles Blackwell won election in the general election for Mississippi House of Representatives District 88 on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Charles Blackwell (R) | 100.0 | 7,935 | |
| Total votes: 7,935 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Mississippi House of Representatives District 88
Charles Blackwell defeated Christopher Hodge in the Republican primary for Mississippi House of Representatives District 88 on August 8, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Charles Blackwell | 50.7 | 3,161 | |
 | Christopher Hodge | 49.3 | 3,077 | |
| Total votes: 6,238 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Thomas D. Parker (R)
- Robin Robinson (R)
- Robin Torske (R)
2020
A special election for Mississippi House of Representatives District 88 was called for April 21, 2020. On April 3, 2020, Gov. Tate Reeves (R) postponed the special election to June 23, 2020, amid concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.[17] This date was the primary runoff date for primary elections held on March 10, 2020. The candidate filing deadline was March 2, 2020.[18]
The seat became vacant after Ramona Blackledge (R) resigned on January 31, 2020.[19]
General election
Special general election for Mississippi House of Representatives District 88
Robin Robinson defeated Michael Walker and Jason Dykes (Unofficially withdrew) in the special general election for Mississippi House of Representatives District 88 on June 23, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Robin Robinson (Nonpartisan) | 65.1 | 1,471 |
| Michael Walker (Nonpartisan) | 33.0 | 745 | ||
| Jason Dykes (Nonpartisan) (Unofficially withdrew) | 1.9 | 43 | ||
| Total votes: 2,259 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2019
Elections for the Mississippi House of Representatives took place in 2019. The primary was on August 6, 2019, the primary runoff was on August 27, and the general election was on November 5. The filing deadline for candidates was March 1, 2019.
General election
General election for Mississippi House of Representatives District 88
Ramona Blackledge won election in the general election for Mississippi House of Representatives District 88 on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Ramona Blackledge (R) | 100.0 | 8,876 | |
| Total votes: 8,876 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary runoff election
Republican primary runoff for Mississippi House of Representatives District 88
Ramona Blackledge defeated incumbent Gary Staples in the Republican primary runoff for Mississippi House of Representatives District 88 on August 27, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Ramona Blackledge | 57.1 | 4,286 | |
 | Gary Staples | 42.9 | 3,222 | |
| Total votes: 7,508 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Mississippi House of Representatives District 88
Ramona Blackledge and incumbent Gary Staples advanced to a runoff. They defeated Christopher Hodge in the Republican primary for Mississippi House of Representatives District 88 on August 6, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Ramona Blackledge | 46.9 | 3,331 | |
| ✔ | | Gary Staples | 34.4 | 2,442 |
| Christopher Hodge | 18.7 | 1,325 | |
| Total votes: 7,098 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2015
Elections for the Mississippi House of Representatives took place in 2015. A primary election was held on August 4, 2015. The general election took place on November 3, 2015. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 27, 2015.[20] No Democratic candidates filed for election. Incumbent Gary Staples defeated Christopher S. Hodge and Mitchell Pitts in the Republican primary. Staples ran unchallenged in the District 88 general election.
| Mississippi House of Representatives, District 88 Republican Primary, 2015 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Gary Staples Incumbent |
50.9% | 3,255 |
| Christopher S. Hodge | 40.5% | 2,591 |
| Mitchell Pitts | 8.6% | 548 |
| Total Votes | 6,394 | |
2011
Elections for the office of Mississippi House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 2, 2011 and a general election on November 8, 2011. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 1, 2011. Incumbent Gary Staples (R) defeated Jonathan Hodge (D) and independent candidate Donald Holifield in the general election. Staples defeated Mitchell Pitts in the Republican primary. Hodge was unopposed in the Democratic primary.[21]
| Mississippi House of Representatives, District 88 General Election, 2011 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Gary Staples Incumbent |
64.4% | 6,159 | |
| Democratic | Jonathan Hodge | 23.6% | 2,252 | |
| Independent | Donald Holifield | 12% | 1,146 | |
| Total Votes | 9,557 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2003 to 2023, candidates for Mississippi House of Representatives District 88 raised a total of $110,706. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $7,908 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Mississippi House of Representatives District 88 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2023 | $22,941 | 5 | $4,588 |
| 2019 | $30,008 | 3 | $10,003 |
| 2011 | $26,850 | 1 | $26,850 |
| 2007 | $2,950 | 1 | $2,950 |
| 2003 | $27,957 | 4 | $6,989 |
| Total | $110,706 | 14 | $7,908 |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Mississippi Constitution, "Article 4, Section 36," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑ Mississippi Constitution, "Article 4, Section 41," accessed May 22, 2025
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Justia US Law, "2020 Mississippi Code," accessed February 6, 2023 (Statute 23-15-851)
- ↑ Magnolia Tribune, "Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court coming to address “very narrow, legal issue” in court-ordered legislative redistricting," July 3, 2025
- ↑ Associated Press, "Mississippi can wait to reset legislative districts that dilute Black voting strength, judges say," July 18, 2024
- ↑ Associated Press, "New Mississippi legislative maps head to court for approval despite DeSoto lawmakers’ objections," March 6, 2025
- ↑ DeSoto Times-Tribune, "Judges order new redistricting map for DeSoto," April 16, 2025
- ↑ Mississippi Today, "Federal court approves Mississippi legislative redistricting. Special elections will proceed," May 9, 2025
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Jackson Free Press, "Mississippi House and Senate OK Each Other's Redistricting," April 1, 2022
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Jackson Free Press, "Mississippi House, Senate Pass Separate Redistricting Plans," March 30, 2022
- ↑ ‘’Mississippi legislature’’, “Joint Resolution 202-History of Actions, 03/29 (S) Adopted," accessed April 7, 2022
- ↑ ‘’Mississippi legislature’’, “Joint Resolution 202-History of Actions, 03/31 (H) Adopted," accessed April 7, 2022
- ↑ ‘’Mississippi legislature’’, “Joint Resolution 1-History of Actions, 03/29 (H) Adopted As Amended," accessed April 7, 2022
- ↑ ‘’Mississippi legislature’’, “Joint Resolution 1-History of Actions, 03/31 (S) Adopted," accessed April 7, 2022
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 All About Redistricting, "Mississippi," accessed May 4, 2015
- ↑ ‘’Michael Watson Secretary of State,’’ “GOVERNOR TATE REEVES RESCHEDULES SPECIAL ELECTION FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 88,” April 3, 2020
- ↑ Y'all Politics, "Governor Tate Reeves Sets Special Election for House District 88," February 13, 2020
- ↑ Y'all Politics, "State Rep. Ramona Blackledge resigning over pay," January 29, 2020
- ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, "2015 Elections Calendar," accessed December 2, 2014
- ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, "2011 election results," accessed November 13, 2013
