WASHINGTON — Today, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) announced five Spotlight candidates ahead of special elections in Mississippi on November 4th. These elections were called following a court ruling for new elections to rectify Republicans’ racial gerrymandering, and if these Democrats are successful on Election Day, they could help break the extreme GOP supermajority in the Mississippi Senate.
These special elections come as state Democrats have been winning and overperforming in blue, red, and battleground districts across the country this year, bolstered by the support of working families who are tired of Republicans leaving them behind.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“The DLCC is proud to support these five Mississippi Democrats running strong campaigns to challenge the toxic GOP power in their state. Republicans in Mississippi have propped up Trump’s extreme agenda, focused on divisive culture wars, and failed to offer working families any tangible solutions for improving their lives. These special elections offer voters a vital alternative to Republicans’ chaos and broken promises. Democratic candidates for state legislature are the backbone of their communities and the rising leaders of our party’s future. The DLCC will continue to highlight the best opportunities to build Democratic power from the ground up every year, year-round.”
Theresa Gillespie Isom (SD-02) is a former nurse and educator running to win a newly drawn seat in the Mississippi Senate this fall. She spent decades providing care to patients, training future medical professionals, and expanding access to career and technical education across northern Mississippi. Theresa is ready to use her experience to further serve her community as a member of the Mississippi Senate. If elected in November, Theresa will be a passionate voice in Jackson for progress and opportunity for all.
Sen. Reginald Jackson (SD-11) is an engineering technician and former farmer running in a November special election to defend his seat in the Mississippi Senate. During his time in the chamber, Reginald has championed legislation to create a worker’s bill of rights, improve infrastructure, and expand health care access. Democrats can’t afford to lose a single seat in Mississippi, and if Reginald wins reelection this fall, he will continue the fight to push the needle towards progress for his state.
Dianne Black (SD-19) is a small business owner running to win a Mississippi Senate seat this November. Dianne was born and raised in Mississippi – it’s where she started a family of her own and put down roots for her business. Now, she’s ready to give back by giving her community fair representation in Jackson. If Dianne wins her race this fall, she’s committed to pushing for a higher minimum wage, better access to health care, and public school funding.
Johnny DuPree (SD-45) is running in a November special election to add a Democratic seat to the Mississippi Senate in the newly drawn 45th district. After nearly 40 years in public service, Johnny is ready to take the fight to Jackson to help address the runaway cost of living and get the state’s public schools back on track. Johnny will be a champion for Mississippi’s working families and will fight to ensure a bright future where no one is left behind.
Justin Crosby (HD-22) is a logistics manager running in a November special election to win a newly redrawn seat in the Mississippi House. Justin is committed to building connections across his district to ensure that each of his constituents has a voice in Jackson, regardless of their zip code. As a lifelong resident who has lived, worked, and raised his family in Aberdeen, Justin understands the struggles working parents in Mississippi face, and if he wins his election this fall, he will do everything he can to put their needs first.
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the campaign arm of Democratic state legislatures and leads the national strategy for building power and winning new majorities. Over the last three decades, we have strategized cycle over cycle to win majorities and lead the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level, winning nearly a dozen new chamber majorities over the last decade. Our work has ensured that nearly half of Americans are represented by at least one Democratic majority in their statehouse. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class and advancing opportunity, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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