Bolton, Miss. Longtime U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson won the Democratic nomination for Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday, defeating a primary challenge from Young antitrust lawyer With experience working in Washington.
The 78-year-old civil rights leader who led the House of Representatives January 6 Committee He has held his seat for more than three decades and serves as the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee.
He is one of many long-serving actors Recently I faced opposition Of the younger members of their party. He was opposed by Evan Turnage, a 34-year-old who previously served as an adviser to then-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
However, Thompson defeated Turnage handily, as he has done with other primary contenders in the past.
“Seniority is how you get things done in Washington,” Thompson told reporters Tuesday evening. He noted that if Democrats regain control of the House in November, he would become chairman of the committee overseeing the Department of Homeland Security.
The 2nd District extends from the central part of the state west to the Mississippi River and is considered a Democratic stronghold, making Thompson poised to win his 18th term in Congress.
Thompson said he looks forward to returning to Washington to address the partial matter Government shutdown And push for transparency about Iran war.
He added: “We have to put Donald Trump under surveillance.”
Dyamone White said she went to high school with Turnage but decided to vote for Thompson. She owns a business next door to the congressman’s office in Bolton, Mississippi, and attended an election night meeting for him on Tuesday.
“His leadership and decades of service to the district and the state of Mississippi is not something that should be forgotten,” White said. “He served his district well.”
Turnage was part of a wave of Young Democrats Hoping to oust the older incumbents and usher in a new era. He staked his candidacy on a message of economic populism and presented himself as a leader capable of understanding and regulating big technology and artificial intelligence.
“I can only wish the best for Rep. Thompson and hope that granting him another term will push him to meet this moment,” Turnage said in a statement acknowledging the race. “Our people cannot afford another decade of the same thing.”
Other races were also on the ballot in Tuesday’s primary in Mississippi. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith defeated challenger Sarah Adlakha in the Republican primary while running for re-election. In the general election, Hyde will face Smith Scott Cullumwho received the Democratic nomination over candidates Priscilla Till and Albert Littell.
Cullum is the prosecutor whose previous nomination to federal judgeship was blocked by Hyde-Smith while President Joe Biden was in office.
Incumbents often have the advantage, and that includes Thompson. In addition to Turnage, Bertis also defeated Herman Williams III.
Thompson’s 17 terms in Congress made him an institution, said Marvin King, an associate professor of political science at the University of Mississippi.
“It’s basically been there for like half of people’s lives on average,” King said. “No other contender has demonstrated so effectively why Benny Thompson should be ousted.”
Select Miles, who lives in Jackson, Mississippi, said she voted for Thompson, expressing confidence in his experience and citing his work on the House Jan. 6 committee.
“He knows the issues,” Miles said. “That’s what makes me trust him.”
In an interview after the polls closed at 7 p.m. local time, Thompson said he has spent his life creating opportunities for people who want to run for office and believes there is a place at the table for people of all ages.
“I chose to run, and I will continue to fight for that right to run,” Thompson said.
On the Republican side in the 2nd District, the primary was too early for the Associated Press to call. Ron Ellera military veteran and physician’s assistant, and Kevin Wilson, an oilman and county supervisor, were separated by only a few hundred votes.
Thompson previously defeated Eller in the 2024 general election, winning 62% of the vote.