On Tuesday, November 3, voters in two Mississippi House districts will head to the polls to decide who will fill the remaining terms of two late state representatives. The special elections for House District 70 and House District 77 arrive following the deaths of State Representatives Price Wallace and William “Bo” Brown, who passed away less than a week apart. These particular contests are non-partisan, leaving voters to weigh the professional backgrounds and policy platforms of the candidates.
The outcomes will determine representation for the next year, with the winners serving until January 2028. For the residents of Rankin and Simpson counties in District 77, the vacancy left by the late Price Wallace has drawn a field of four candidates, each offering a distinct vision for the region’s economic and infrastructural future.
The Contenders in District 77
Christopher Dunn, the CFO for Vestra Revenue Management, brings over two decades of banking experience to his campaign. He is positioning his candidacy around the pillars of fiscal responsibility and business-friendly policy, emphasizing a commitment to faith and family. His platform focuses heavily on the state’s healthcare system.
He faces competition from Dianne Gaddis, the owner of 3 Girls Trucking and 3 Girls Trucking Academy. Gaddis has centered her campaign on practical economic levers, specifically calling for increased investment in infrastructure, expanded childcare access, and a broader focus on career and technical education to bolster the state’s workforce.
Also on the ballot is Melissa Sullivan, a healthcare professional with 30 years of experience. Sullivan’s platform includes an emphasis on gun rights and tax relief—specifically for the agriculture sector. Her stated goals include improving healthcare accessibility in rural areas, a persistent challenge in Mississippi’s more remote districts.
Rounding out the field is Craig Williams, a farmer and owner of the Wildcat Creek Shooting Preserve. As a former law enforcement officer, Williams is advocating for increased pay for first responders and a reduction in the tax burden for small businesses, alongside a push for infrastructure improvements.
Special elections to be held Tuesday in Mississippi House Districts 70 and 77 – Magnolia Tribune https://t.co/A7bhgpzhmv
The Path Forward in District 70
In Hinds County, the seat previously held by the late Bo Brown features a three-way race. Imelda Brown, the wife of the late representative, is seeking to fill the seat. A graduate of Tennessee State University who works within the Jackson Public School system, she has made public education the cornerstone of her platform, explicitly opposing school choice initiatives in favor of increased investment in public education.
Marcus Cheatham, an Army veteran of 31 years, is making another bid for public office after his 2025 run for Jackson City Council. Cheatham’s platform leans into economic development and infrastructure, with a stated commitment to strengthening public schools—an issue that remains at the forefront of the debate in Hinds County.
James Lott III, a Canton Alderman and Air National Guard veteran, is also vying for the seat. Lott, who works as the director of student recreation at Hinds Community College, is focusing his campaign on the potential of data center development to drive economic growth, alongside a commitment to advancing public education.
The stakes for these districts are high. Beyond the immediate policy preferences of the candidates, the results will influence how these specific communities are represented during the upcoming legislative sessions. With the term ending in January 2028, the individuals elected this week will have a limited, though significant, window to shape local outcomes on issues ranging from rural healthcare access to the funding of public school systems.
As the candidates make their final arguments, the question remains whether voters will prioritize the continuity of established local leadership or seek a change in legislative direction. With no partisan designations on the ballot, the focus shifts entirely to the individual track records and stated priorities of the seven people asking for the community’s trust.
