A contentious race for Mississippi's highest court reaches its conclusion as a Republican state lawmaker challenges a long-serving justice.
According to The Associated Press, State Sen. Jenifer Branning has secured victory over incumbent Justice Jim Kitchens in the Mississippi Supreme Court runoff election for the Central District seat.
The race culminated in a Nov. 26 runoff after both candidates emerged as frontrunners among five contenders in the Nov. 5 general election.
The Central District, spanning from the Delta region through the Jackson metro area to the Alabama border, witnessed a clear political divide despite judicial races being officially nonpartisan.
Branning's campaign emphasized her conservative credentials, with explicit support from the Mississippi Republican Party. Her platform centered on constitutional conservatism, taking a strong stance against what she characterized as "liberal, activist judges" and "the radical left."
The electoral map reflected distinct partisan preferences, with Democratic-leaning areas supporting Kitchens while Republican strongholds backed Branning. This political alignment played a crucial role in determining the final outcome of the judicial contest.
The state senator's victory marks a significant shift in the court's composition, particularly given Kitchens' position as one of two presiding justices and his potential path to becoming chief justice.
Kitchens, who was seeking his third term on the bench, garnered support from progressive organizations, including the Southern Poverty Law Center's Action Fund. His tenure on the court was marked by several notable decisions, particularly in death penalty cases.
Upon learning of the results, Kitchens offered a gracious concession, reflecting on his judicial service. He stated:
During the 16 years that I was privileged to serve the people of Mississippi on their highest court, I have kept my oath of office by administering justice without respect to persons and by doing equal right to the poor and the rich. I will continue to serve the cause of justice by returning to the practice of law.
His judicial record includes significant decisions on capital punishment cases, including a September ruling supporting a death row inmate whose case involved a witness recanting testimony. In 2018, he notably dissented in cases concerning the use of midazolam in state executions.
The election results signal a changing landscape in Mississippi's judiciary, with Branning's victory representing a conservative shift in the state's highest court. Her transition from the legislative to judicial branch marks a significant career evolution.
The implications of this change extend beyond individual cases, potentially influencing the court's approach to constitutional interpretation and its handling of contentious legal issues. While judicial candidates run without party labels, the political undertones of this race highlight the increasing intersection of partisan politics and judicial selection.
A close examination of voting patterns reveals how geographical and demographic factors influenced the outcome, with clear divisions between urban and rural areas reflecting broader political trends in the state.
