Mississippi Republicans Secure Key Judicial Victory as Jenifer Branning Defeats Justice Jim Kitchens
In a significant win for Mississippi Republicans, GOP State Senator Jenifer Branning has unseated longtime Democrat State Supreme Court Justice Jim Kitchens in a highly competitive race. The Magnolia Tribune projected Branning’s victory on Wednesday morning after a decisive shift in absentee ballot counts and the reporting of uncounted county results solidified her lead.
When polls closed on Tuesday night, the race between Branning and Kitchens was too close to call. Early results showed Branning leading Kitchens by a razor-thin margin of 518 votes, with substantial absentee ballots and one unreported county remaining. By Wednesday morning, however, the numbers had shifted dramatically in Branning’s favor, ensuring her victory.
The key turning point came from Rankin County, Mississippi’s second-largest county within the contested district. Absentee ballots from Rankin County, totaling 3,009, gave Branning a significant advantage. She secured 2,445 of those votes, netting a 1,881-vote lead over Kitchens. Additional absentee returns from Lauderdale and Neshoba counties added over 600 more votes to Branning’s tally, effectively pushing her lead beyond the recount threshold.
Breaking Down the Numbers
The final stages of ballot counting revealed a notable trend: Branning outperformed Kitchens in absentee ballot returns compared to in-person votes. For instance:
- In Rankin County, Branning captured approximately 70% of in-person votes but surged to over 80% in absentee ballots.
- Similarly, in Hinds County, where Kitchens had stronger support overall, Branning increased her share of absentee votes to 36%, compared to 24% of in-person votes.
These absentee ballot trends were pivotal in cementing her lead. Even with remaining absentee ballots in counties like Yazoo (127 ballots) and Holmes (173 ballots), Kitchens could not bridge the gap. After accounting for the latest absentee counts, Branning held a commanding lead of 1,216 votes.
Shifting the Balance of Mississippi’s Judiciary
Branning’s victory represents a significant political shift in Mississippi’s judiciary. Justice Kitchens, known for his progressive rulings and alignment with Democratic values, had been a prominent figure on the bench since his election in 2008. His defeat marks a major judicial flip for Republicans, further cementing their influence in the state.
For Branning, this victory is a continuation of her successful political career. Since 2016, she has represented Mississippi’s State Senate District 18 as a Republican, earning strong support from GOP leaders, including Governor Tate Reeves and Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann. Her campaign for the Supreme Court focused on conservative judicial values, reflecting her alignment with the state’s dominant political ideology.
The Road to Victory
The general election on November 5th set the stage for this high-stakes runoff. In the initial race, Branning led a five-candidate field with 42% of the vote, while Kitchens followed with 36%. This led to a runoff between the top two contenders, with both campaigns ramping up their efforts.
Branning and Kitchens collectively raised nearly $1 million ahead of the runoff. Branning’s campaign received substantial support from prominent Republican donors and organizations, while Kitchens benefited from significant Democratic backing, including the New Southern Majority IE PAC.
The PAC, an affiliate of the Southern Poverty Law Center, contributed nearly $300,000 to Kitchens’ campaign, emphasizing its mission to diversify political leadership in the South. This support mirrored Kitchens’ alignment with progressive values and his commitment to preserving judicial independence.
Challenges and Opposition
Throughout the campaign, Kitchens faced strong criticism from conservatives, who characterized his rulings as activist and out of step with Mississippi’s values. Republican leaders framed the race as an opportunity to realign the state’s judiciary with its predominantly conservative electorate.
Governor Reeves and other GOP leaders emphasized the importance of electing justices who would uphold strict interpretations of the law and resist judicial activism. Branning echoed these sentiments during her campaign, positioning herself as a defender of conservative values and judicial restraint.
The Democratic Response
Kitchens and his supporters held out hope even as absentee ballot counts favored Branning. The Kitchens campaign expressed cautious optimism late Tuesday, stating, “The race is too early to call, and we may not have our answer until next week. Thousands of votes remain uncounted, but we remain hopeful and prayerful.”
However, as absentee ballots continued to be tallied on Wednesday, the margin widened beyond the point of contention. By mid-morning, results from Hinds and Holmes counties confirmed that Kitchens’ path to victory had effectively closed.
Political Implications
Branning’s victory underscores a broader trend of Republican dominance in Mississippi’s political landscape. By flipping a seat on the Supreme Court, the GOP has solidified its influence across all levels of state government.
This win also serves as a setback for Democrats, who have struggled to gain ground in Mississippi’s deeply conservative electorate. Kitchens’ defeat, despite significant financial backing and high-profile endorsements, highlights the challenges facing Democratic candidates in statewide races.
For Branning, the victory is not just a personal milestone but also a testament to the growing alignment between Mississippi’s judiciary and its Republican-led executive and legislative branches. Her tenure on the Supreme Court is expected to reflect the conservative priorities championed during her campaign.
Conclusion
Jenifer Branning’s victory over longtime Justice Jim Kitchens marks a pivotal moment for Mississippi’s judiciary. As Republicans celebrate this major flip, Democrats face the challenge of recalibrating their strategies in a state where conservative values remain deeply entrenched.
This election serves as a reminder of the growing influence of absentee voting trends, the importance of local grassroots support, and the enduring impact of statewide political dynamics on judicial races. For Branning, the work begins now as she prepares to bring her conservative principles to Mississippi’s highest court.
