Mississippi runoff election for state Supreme Court justice is too close to call

The Mississippi Supreme Court runoff election is too close to call between Sen. Jennifer Branning and incumbent Justice Jim Kitchens as of Wednesday morning.

Mississippi judicial candidates run without party labels, but Mr. Branning has received Republican support, and Mr. Kitchens has received no Republican support, although he has some Democratic donors. I wasn't getting it.

Branning, who has served in the state Senate since 2016, led Kitchens by 2,678 votes out of 120,610 votes counted as of Wednesday morning. Kitchens, who is seeking a third term, is the senior of the court's two presiding justices and the next chief justice. Her lead stood at 518 after midnight Wednesday.

News anchor removed after social media posts telling Trump haters to 'stay home and vote' in favor of Harris

The Associated Press estimated around midnight Wednesday that more than 11,000 votes remained. In the Nov. 5 election, 7% of votes were counted after election night.

In the first round of voting, Branning had a significant lead with 42%, compared to Kitchens' 36%. Three other candidates divided the rest.

According to the Clarion-Ledger, the winner will likely be determined by absentee and affidavit ballots, which are allowed to be counted for five days after the election in Mississippi.

Voter turnout typically declines between general elections and runoffs, but the campaign said turnout was especially tough two days before Thanksgiving. The Magnolia State voted strongly for President-elect Donald Trump, with 61.6% of the vote for Vice President Harris compared to 37.3% for Vice President Harris.

Branning and Kitchens faced off in District 1, also known as the Central District, which stretches from the Delta region through the Jackson metropolitan area to the Alabama border.

Justice Jim Kitchens, fourth from the top, on the right, and other Mississippi Supreme Court justices hear arguments on July 6, 2023 in Jackson, Mississippi. (Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mr. Branning describes himself as a “constitutionalist” and says he opposes “liberal and activist judges” and “radical leftists.” The Mississippi Republican Party said she is a “proven conservative” and that's why it supported her.

Former NY Times reporter warns liberal media, reveals why he had to resign

Although she has never held a judicial position, she has served as a special prosecutor in Neshoba County and as a staff attorney in the Business Services and Regulation Division of the Mississippi Secretary of State, according to the Clarion Ledger.

According to Mississippi Today, Branning voted against changing the state flag to remove the Confederate battle emblem and supported mandatory and increased penalties for crimes.

Kitchens has been a practicing attorney for 41 years and has served on the Mississippi Supreme Court since 2008, according to the paper, and previously served as a district attorney.

The Magnolia State voted strongly for President-elect Donald Trump, who received 61.6% of the vote compared to 37.3% for Vice President Kamala Harris. (Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

He is supported by the Southern Poverty Law Center's Action Fund, which describes itself as a “catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond.” Mississippi Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson also endorsed Kitchens.

In September, Mr. Kitchens sided with a death row inmate in a murder conviction in which a key witness recanted his testimony. In 2018, Kitchens provided dissenting opinions in two death row cases surrounding the state's use of the drug midazolam in executions.

In the state's other runoff election, Amy St. Peay won a vacant seat on the Mississippi Court of Appeals. She replaces Judge Joel Smith, who did not seek re-election to the 10-member Court of Appeals. The district is located in the southeastern corner of the state, which includes the Gulf Coast.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.