The Ballot Brief
2026 U.S. House

Mississippi's 1st Congressional District — 2026 Candidates

U.S. House · MS-1
Primary: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 General: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

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2026 candidates we're tracking in MS-1

Johnny Baucom

L

Johnny Baucom is a Libertarian candidate for Mississippi's 1st Congressional District. Baucom is a health and safety technician who has managed mechanic shops and is an Army National Guard veteran, per the Newton County Appeal. No campaign website was found as of September 17, 2026.

Cliff Johnson

Democrat

Top priorities

  • Wants to address the cost of living and reduce the influence of corporate and wealthy political donors
  • Supports keeping Affordable Care Act subsidies in place
  • Wants North Mississippi to receive federal funding for infrastructure and schools

Per the campaign site.

About Cliff Johnson

Cliff Johnson is the Democratic candidate for Mississippi's 1st Congressional District. Johnson directs work at the MacArthur Justice Center at the University of Mississippi School of Law focusing on criminal justice reform, previously founded a law firm representing workers and worked at the U.S. Department of Justice coordinating health care fraud enforcement, per the campaign site. Johnson is a graduate of Mississippi College and Columbia University School of Law and a fifth-generation Mississippian, per the campaign site, which also describes a 35-year marriage.

Trent Kelly

Trent Kelly

RepublicanIncumbent

Trent Kelly is the Republican incumbent representing Mississippi's 1st Congressional District, first elected in a 2015 special election runoff, per Kelly's official House biography. Kelly served 39 years in the Mississippi Army National Guard, retiring as a Major General, and before Congress worked as a private attorney, Tupelo City Prosecutor and District Attorney for the 1st Circuit Judicial District.

About this race

Mississippi's 1st Congressional District elects one member of the U.S. House of Representatives to a two-year term. Every House seat in the country is on the ballot in 2026. The Mississippi primary is Tuesday, March 10, 2026 (runoff Tuesday, April 7, 2026 if needed), and the general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Mississippi primary details →  ·  Mississippi voter guide →