Branning wins seat on state's highest court

Branning wins seat on state's highest court

Posted

Supreme Court Justice Jim Kitchens conceded his loss in the runoff election against state Sen. Jenifer Branning of Philadelphia on Dec. 6.

The Mississippi Secretary of State has officially certified the election results.

Kitchens and Branning advanced to the runoff after emerging as the top two candidates among five contenders in the Nov. 5 general election. They competed in District 1, also known as the Central District.

The race was closely contested, with the counting process stretching over several days. Once all mail-in absentee and affidavit ballots were tallied, the contest came to some counties in the Delta.

Branning secured victory over Kitchens by just 1,440 votes. Branning finished the race with 64,087 votes, or 50.6%, to Kitchens’ 62,685 votes, or 49.4%.

In Neshoba County, Branning dominated, receiving about 90% of the vote with 3,815 votes compared to Kitchens’ 565.

"I congratulate Senator Branning and her supporters on their successful campaign,” he said in a release. "My family and I are grateful to those who supported me, not only in the 2024 election but in 2008 and 2016 as well.”

He added, “During the sixteen years that I was privileged to serve the people of Mississippi on their highest court, I have kept my oath of office by administering justice without respect to persons and by doing equal right to the poor and the rich.”

"I will continue to serve the cause of justice by returning to the practice of law,” Kitchens said.

Sen. Branning said she is humbled by her victory and is very excited to serve the people of Mississippi on the Supreme Court.

“I deeply appreciate Justice Kitchens’ kind words of congratulations offered earlier today, as well as his dedicated service to the state of Mississippi over the last several years,” Branning said.

“I specifically want to thank God, my family, my incredible campaign team and my new extended family of friends who joined our campaign and worked hard to make this possible,” she added. “I will be a Justice who will always follow the law and will carry out the duties of office with the same energy and integrity exhibited throughout this campaign.”






Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions