Not all votes have been tallied in the Republican primary for Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District, but one candidate has already taken a victory lap.
Ron Eller, who is once again looking to pull off a major election upset and unseat longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, announced Friday that he staved off Adams County supervisor and oilman Kevin Wilson in the GOP primary. In a release, Eller’s team said, “it is now mathematically impossible for remaining uncounted absentee ballots to change the outcome of Tuesday’s elections.”
As of late Friday morning, the Associated Press has not called the race, though Eller had a roughly two-point lead with 5% of ballots left to be counted. All mail-in absentee ballots that were postmarked on or before Election Day must be received by circuit clerk offices by Tuesday, March 17.
“I am deeply humbled and honored by the trust the voters of the Second District have placed in me again to be their Republican nominee,” Eller said. “Kevin Wilson ran an honorable race and is a good public servant for the people of Adams County. Our district is better for his participation in this process.”
Meanwhile, Wilson’s camp has not conceded the race. Ty Martin, Wilson’s campaign director, told SuperTalk Mississippi News that the Republican candidate’s team is waiting for all votes to be tallied before announcing any future plans.
“Kevin is grateful for the hard work and dedication shown by our campaign team, volunteers, and supporters across the Second District. A tremendous amount of effort went into this campaign, and we appreciate everyone who stepped up to be part of it,” Martin said. “The Wilson campaign will remain in place until every vote is counted and the official results are finalized. We respect the election process and will await the completion of the count.”
Eller, a military veteran and licensed physician assistant, has a lead in 22 of the 30 counties in the 2nd Congressional District. No stranger to the election cycle, Eller unsuccessfully challenged Thompson in 2022 and 2024.
Thompson, on the other hand, is seeking his 18th term after first being elected in 1993. Though multiple Democratic candidates challenged Thompson, with Yale-educated lawyer Evan Turnage headlining the field, the veteran lawmaker cruised to a primary victory, garnering more than 86% of the vote. The general election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 3.