Summary
Democrats won two seats in the Mississippi state Senate, breaking the Republican supermajority. This change resulted from special elections held after a court ordered the redistricting of certain districts to improve Black voter representation.
Key Facts
- Democrats broke the Republican supermajority in the Mississippi state Senate.
- Special elections were held due to a court order to redraw districts for better Black representation.
- Democrats gained seats in Senate Districts 2 and 45 and in a House district.
- The redistricting followed a 2022 lawsuit claiming diluted Black voting power.
- Approximately 40% of Mississippi's population is Black, but this wasn't reflected in political representation.
- A panel of federal judges, appointed by former President George W. Bush, ordered the redistricting.
- The new mapping led to seven special elections, with demographic changes favoring Democrats.
- The election results await official certification by county boards.
