January 2, 2026, is the first day for candidates to file petitions and/or qualifying statements for the offices of Court of Appeals, Chancery Court Judge, Circuit Court Judge, County Court Judge, and Mississippi Levee Commission.

Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, a close ally of President Donald Trump, is a heavy favorite to win reelection this November and continue serving in the nation's Capitol as Mississippi's junior senator. Heck, a Democrat has not won a statewide election in Mississippi since Jim Hood garnered reelection as attorney general in 2015.

Judge Paula Drongole-Ellis of Starkville has qualified with the Mississippi Secretary of State's office for re-election as Chancery Court Judge.

As Mississippi approaches its pivotal 2026 mid-term elections, the national spotlight is already trained on our U.S. Senate race and potential kitchen-table issues in the state’s congressional districts.