Voters to Decide House District 77 and 70 Special Election Winners

Voters in Rankin, Simpson, and Hinds counties head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, to decide two special elections in the Mississippi House of Representatives. The contests will fill the unexpired terms of the late State Representatives Price Wallace and William “Bo” Brown, who passed away less than a week apart from one another.

Because special elections in the state are non-partisan, party labels do not appear on the ballot. Seven candidates in total have qualified to run across House Districts 70 and 77, with winners completing the term which ends in January 2028.

The Field in House District 77

House District 77, spanning Rankin and Simpson counties, features four contenders vying to fill the term of the late Price Wallace.

Christopher Dunn, the CFO for Vestra Revenue Management and a veteran of the banking industry for more than 20 years, is running on a conservative platform emphasizing faith, family, and fiscal responsibility. Dunn has stated he wants to make Mississippi more business-friendly while targeting healthcare improvements.

Dianne Gaddis, owner of 3 Girls Trucking and 3 Girls Trucking Academy, has focused her campaign on expanding career and technical education, strengthening food security, increasing childcare options, and securing deeper investments in local infrastructure.

Melissa Sullivan brings over 30 years of healthcare experience to the ballot. A conservative Republican, Sullivan aims to strengthen gun rights, provide tax relief for residents and the agriculture industry, and expand healthcare access into underserved rural areas.

Craig Williams rounds out the District 77 candidates as a farmer, owner of Wildcat Creek Shooting Preserve, and a former law enforcement officer. Williams’ platform centers on higher pay for first responders, tax reductions for small businesses, and infrastructure upgrades.

Contesting House District 70

In Hinds County’s House District 70, three candidates seek to succeed the late William “Bo” Brown.

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Imelda Brown, the wife of Bo Brown and an employee of the Jackson Public School system, has built her platform around strong public education advocacy. A Tennessee State University graduate, she has openly voiced opposition to school choice initiatives while promoting sustained investment in public schools.

Marcus Cheatham brings a 31-year career in the U.S. Army to the race. Following an unsuccessful bid for the Jackson City Council in 2025 against incumbent Councilman Kenneth Stokes, Cheatham is campaigning on infrastructure investment, economic development, and bolstering public schools.

James Lott III, a Canton Alderman, Air National Guard veteran, and director of student recreation at Hinds Community College, focuses on data center development alongside continuous educational funding and advancement.

Polls for both districts open Tuesday morning. The victors will serve until the term ends in January 2028.