The Mississippi Supreme Court runoff election remains undecided, with incumbent Justice Jim Kitchens and state Sen. Jenifer Branning locked in a tight race. While judicial candidates in Mississippi run without official party affiliations, Branning secured the Republican Party's endorsement, while Kitchens received support from several Democratic donors, though not an official endorsement. As of Wednesday morning, Branning held a narrow lead of just over 2,600 votes out of more than 120,000 ballots counted, a significant increase from her 518-vote lead earlier that night. The Associated Press estimates over 11,000 votes are still outstanding, potentially impacting the final outcome. This follows a trend from the November 5th election where 7% of votes were tallied post-election day.

In the initial election round, Branning secured a commanding 42% of the vote, while Kitchens trailed with 36%, with the remaining votes distributed among three other candidates. The final result likely hinges on absentee and affidavit ballots, which Mississippi allows to be counted up to five days after the election. Turnout for this runoff has been a challenge, particularly given its proximity to the Thanksgiving holiday. This election comes on the heels of a decisive presidential victory for Donald Trump in Mississippi, who secured over 60% of the state's vote compared to Kamala Harris's 37%.

The contested Supreme Court seat represents the Central District, encompassing a wide swathe of the state from the Delta region through the Jackson metropolitan area to the Alabama border.

Branning, a self-described "constitutional conservative," has positioned herself against what she terms "liberal, activist judges" and "the radical left." The Mississippi GOP echoed this sentiment, endorsing her as the "proven conservative" candidate. While lacking prior judicial experience, Branning has served as a special prosecutor in Neshoba County and a staff attorney in the Mississippi Secretary of State's office. Her voting record includes opposition to changing the state flag and support for stricter sentencing laws. Kitchens, a seasoned lawyer with over four decades of experience, has served on the Mississippi Supreme Court since 2008, preceded by a tenure as a district attorney. He's received endorsements from organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund and prominent figures like Rep. Bennie Thompson. Kitchens' judicial record includes siding with a death row inmate whose key witness recanted testimony and dissenting in death penalty cases involving the drug midazolam.

In a separate runoff election for the Mississippi Court of Appeals, Amy St. Pe' secured an open seat, succeeding Judge Joel Smith, who chose not to seek re-election. This district covers the southeastern part of the state, including the Gulf Coast.