JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – One of Mississippi’s judicial races is heading to a runoff election.

As of Tuesday, neither candidate received the 50 percent plus one needed to win the race. The favorites will now move on to the second round among the 5 candidates. State Sen. Jenifer Branning received the largest share of the total vote, 41.8 percent, while incumbent Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Jim Kitchens received 35.6 percent.

Both candidates said a runoff did not surprise them.

Branning said they were thrilled with the turnout in Tuesday’s election.

“We’re heading into a runoff and we’re already working very hard to get the message out to the people of central Mississippi that they need Jennifer Branning as a constitutional conservative on the Mississippi Supreme Court,” Branning said.

Kitchens says he has the qualifications and experience for this position, while Branning says she has the energy and work ethic to well serve the people of Mississippi in this role.

As they prepare for the runoff election, both candidates say they are pleased with Tuesday’s turnout and look forward to the next steps.

“Well, yeah, I’m reaching out to my friends, my supporters, and reminding them, and looking for new people who didn’t vote this time.”

Kitchens praised other candidates in Tuesday’s race.

“They all ran very well. They got a lot of votes and I congratulate them.

Kitchen said he wanted to remind people that they can still vote.

“There are 22 counties in the Middle District of Mississippi, and I think people now know what that is, but I’m going to remind them,” Kitchens said.

If you did not vote on Tuesday but are registered to vote, you can still vote for the second round of elections.

The second round will take place on November 26, 2024.

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