When Andy Gipson was recently named Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce to serve the remainder of Cindy Hyde-Smith’s term until 2020, Gipson vacated his seat as Representative for District 77 in the Mississippi House of Representatives.
A special election will be held on July 10 to determine who will represent District 77.
Assistant Secretary of State Leah Smith explained that the special election will be set by writ of the Governor. According to MS Code 23-15-851 within 30 days after the vacancies occur in either house of the Legislature the governor shall issue writs of election to fill the vacancies on a day specified in the writ of election. At least 40 days’ notice shall be given of the election in each county in which the election shall be held. The qualifying deadline for the election shall be 30 days prior to the election. The election will be conducted as a general election.
Governor Phil Bryant issued a writ of election on April 14 to fill the vacancy. The special election will be held on July 10. The qualifying deadline for the special election will be May 21. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast in the special election, a runoff will be held on July 31.
To qualify for the Mississippi House of Representatives the candidate must be a registered voter, at least 21 years old, and a resident of the state for at least four years. The candidate must be a resident of the district represented for two years before the election.
District 77 encompasses Simpson and parts of Rankin County. Three candidates have qualified from Simpson County thus far, Price Wallace, Chris Purdum, and Cemper Scott.
