Hinds County legislative races: Two races called, two headed to Aug. 29 runoff elections

Wicker Perlis, Mississippi Clarion-Ledger
Updated ·2 min read
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As of midnight Wednesday, two of the races to nominate people to represent Hinds County in the Mississippi Legislature had been decided, while two are headed for a runoff later this month.

There were also a number of statewide nomination races decided Tuesday.

Incumbent Democratic state Sen. David Blount won his party's nomination, fending off a challenge from pastor Dwayne Pickett. With an estimated 92% of the vote reported, Blount had received about 79%, enough for the race to be called by Clarion Ledger election partner Decision Desk HQ.

Blount will advance to face Republican Micheal Carson in the general election.

In another contested Jackson-area Senate district, longtime Democratic state Sen. Hillman Frazier fended off a challenge from business owner Marvin Hightower, the same opponent Frazier defeated in 2019. With an estimated 86% of the vote reporting, Frazier had received about 60%.

Voters head into the poll at the A.E. Wood Activity and Therapeutic Center in Clinton to cast their ballots during the primary election Tuesday.
Voters head into the poll at the A.E. Wood Activity and Therapeutic Center in Clinton to cast their ballots during the primary election Tuesday.

No Republicans qualified to run against Frazier, so he is slated to return to the Senate.

In an open House seat vacated by now-Hinds County Judge Debra Gibbs, two candidates were projected to advance to a runoff. With upwards of 99% of the estimated vote reporting, Justis Gibbs had received about 41% of the vote, while Rukia Lumumbia had received about 31%. Synarus Green and Ailean Stingley fell short of the runoff, with about 22% and 7% of the vote respectively.

The runoff between Gibbs and Lumumba will be held Aug. 29. No Republicans qualified in the district, so the winner between Gibbs and Lumumba will effectively be elected to the House.

Another race to fill an open House seat, vacated by the retirement of longtime Rep. Alyce Clarke, will be headed to a runoff. As of Wednesday morning, Decision Desk HQ projects Tamarra Butler-Washington and Patty Patterson will face off on Aug. 29. Butler-Washington received about 48% of the vote Tuesday, while Patterson received about 30%. Iva Steptoe and Allan Cole fell short of the runoff, receiving about 17% and about 5% respectively.

No Republicans qualified in the district, so the eventual Democratic nominee will be unopposed in the general election.

See full list of election results.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi elections: local lawmaker primary results in Hinds County