Candidates running in the general elections for Mississippi’s House and Senate seats have raised millions of dollars ahead of Nov. 5, even though the races were not very competitive.
The nine candidates have collectively raised approximately $14,288,783 since the campaign finance period began in January 2023. All incumbents and several challengers also brought in campaign funds from past elections to shore up their spending capacity.
More information about the candidates: See who’s running in this year’s Mississippi House elections
During the most recent campaign fundraising period, from July to September 30, candidates raised a total of about $1,607,442.25, less than one-eighth of the total raised to date. .
Of the nine candidates running, Democrat Craig Labon, who is running against Rep. Mike Ezell (R-4th District), has not raised any money, according to a Federal Election Commission report. Democrat Diane Black, who is running against incumbent Trent Kelly (R-1st District), failed to submit her quarterly campaign finance report by the October deadline. An FEC letter posted to her campaign account said she needed to submit proof of financial statements by mail or online by Friday, Oct. 25.
Below is a summary of the campaign finances of candidates for the Mississippi House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
US Senate elections in Mississippi:
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi):
Of the nine candidates, Wicker’s campaign raised the most campaign funds.
Procurement dates: July 1 to September 30: $754,966.54. Elections to date: $9,374,828.91 Spending: July 1 to September 30: $539,381.92. Elections to date: $7,535,263.31 Cash on hand: $3,884,695.38. This includes money the Wicker campaign had on hand before this election cycle.
Mr. Wicker has served in the U.S. Senate since 2008 and is a ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Mr. Wicker also serves on other committees.
Democratic Senate candidate Ty Pinkins:
Of all the challengers facing the incumbent, Pinkins outperformed the other candidates in campaign fundraising. As such, the high stakes make the Senate race the most contentious of the handful of races to be held in Mississippi this year.
Fundraising: July 1st to September 30th: $387,864. Elections so far: $887,348.06 raised. Expenses: July 1 to September 30: $362,904.58. Elections to date: $810,281.31 Cash on hand: $77,066.75
Before continuing this year’s Senate campaign, Pinkins ran an unsuccessful 2023 campaign with Republican Michael Watson in the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office.
Pinkins thinks it’s MS Dems. Hindered Him: Dem. Leaders refuted the allegations by U.S. Senate candidate Ty Pinkins. see what he said
Race for U.S. Congressional District 1:
U.S. Representative Trent Kelly (R-1st District):
Congressman Trent Kelly won a special election and has been in office since 2015. According to his website, Kelly is dedicated to economic development, blocking Medicaid expansion, and working on national defense.
Procurement dates: July 1 to September 30: $77,066.75. Elections to date: $1,176,576.86 Expenditures: July 1 to September 30: 119,776.93. Elections to date: $878,354 Cash on hand: $623,934.82 (this includes over $300,000 in cash on hand from previous elections)
U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly, who was not a major opponent this year, serves on the House Armed Services Committee and chairs the Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee. Kelly also chairs the Defense Intelligence and Overhead Architecture Subcommittee of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Mr. Kelly is also a member of the House Agriculture Committee.
U.S. House of Representatives Democratic candidate Diane Black:
Mr. Kelly’s opponent, Diane Black, is running on a promise to help maintain and expand the number of Democrats in Congress.
Amount raised: Elections to date: $7,635.51 Expenditures: Elections to date: $4,329.16 Cash on hand $3,966. This includes about $689 in cash on hand from previous elections. Mr. Black put in the money.
These figures represent the latest accounting by the Black camp, which failed to submit its financial report by the October deadline. The FEC has given the campaign until October 25th to submit.
US House of Representatives District 2 Election:
U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson (Democratic District 2):
Congressman Bennie Thompson has held office since 1993. Specifically, he serves on the Homeland Security Committee and chairs the House January 6 Investigation Committee, which aims to bring information and co-conspirators regarding the riots that occurred across the United States on January 6, 2021. Served. From the Capitol to Wright.
Procurement date: July 1st to September 30th: $178,203.57. Elections to date: $964,467.95 Expenditures: July 1 to September 30: $221,441.62. Elections to date: $933,058.13 Cash on hand: $1,762,319.38. This includes $1,730,909.56 in cash on hand from the last election.
Thompson had no opponent in this year’s primary. During the Democratic National Convention, he spoke about the importance of voting Democratic in the upcoming November 5th election and the January 6th riot.
U.S. House of Representatives Republican candidate Ron Eller:
Mr. Eller, who defeated several candidates in this year’s primaries, has tailored his campaign as a right-leaning contrast to Mr. Thompson. But his campaign contributions are far less than what Mr. Thompson has received from donors.
Fundraising: July 1st to September 30th: $19,739. Elections to date: $34,333.12 Expenditures: July 1 to September 30: $8,873.77. Elections to date: $14,147.35 Cash on hand: $19,764.42. For FEC filing reports, cash on hand is calculated by adding the prior cash on hand balance, the total amount raised during the financing period, and subtracting the expenses listed in the report. Subtracting total spending from total raised, Eller’s campaign has $20,185.77 in cash on hand.
Eller also received an endorsement from the Mississippi Republican Party earlier this summer.
Mr. Eller Wins Primary Runoff Election: Mr. Eller wins the Republican nomination in the runoff election for Michigan’s 2nd District. View details
U.S. House of Representatives 3rd District Election:
Republican Rep. Michael Guest will not face a challenger in the 3rd District race. Nevertheless, his campaign received large sums of cash from donors.
This election cycle, which began in 2023, has so far raised $761,176.67 and spent $361,764.91, leaving cash on hand at $424,429.66, including $25,017.90 in campaign funds left over from the previous election. Included.
US House of Representatives District 4 Election:
U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell, Republican 4th District
Ezell, who faces Democratic challenger Craig Labon, will replace former seat holder Stephen Palazzo in 2022.
Procurement dates: July 1 to September 30: $74,956.60. Elections to date: $1,109,417.30 Expenditures: July 1 to September 30: $53,911.12. Elections to date: $1,035,502.99 Cash on hand: $82,186.22. This includes $8,271.91 in cash on hand from the previous election in 2022.
U.S. House of Representatives District 4 Democratic Candidate Craig Labon
Labon’s campaign has not filed financial reports with the FEC. Labon also declined to answer questions about himself or his campaign from the Clarion-Ledger.
Grant McLaughlin covers Congress and state government for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at gmcLaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.
