Highlights of Election Day in Mississippi

JACKSONS, Miss. – (AP) Republican U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran won a seventh term after a campaign marred by allegations of voting irregularities in the June 24 GOP primary runoff. Cochran defeated tea-party backed state Sen. Chris McDaniel in the runoff, but McDaniel filed suit in state court seeking to have the results overturned or a new election ordered. After a judge dismissed his case, McDaniel appealed to the Mississippi Supreme Court, which ruled in Cochran’s favor. McDaniel has not conceded. Cochran defeated Democrat Travis Childers, a former U.S. House member, and the Reform Party’s Shawn O’Hara.

IN THE HOUSE

1ST DISTRICT

Republican incumbent Alan Nunnelee of Tupelo defeated three challengers in the north Mississippi district. The 56-year-old Nunnelee is recovering from a stroke he suffered in June while undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor. His challengers were Democrat Ron Dickey of Horn Lake, Libertarian Danny Bedwell of Columbus and the Reform Party’s Lajena Walley.

2nd DISTRICT

Bennie Thompson of Bolton, the only Democrat in Mississippi’s House delegation, easily defeated two challengers. Thompson, now 66, was first elected in 1993 in a district that encompasses the Delta and most of the capital city of Jackson. He faces independent Troy Ray and the Reform Party’s Shelley Shoemake.

3RD DISTRICT

Republican incumbent Gregg Harper of Pearl defeated three challengers. The 58-year-old Harper represents a district that cuts diagonally across Mississippi, from the Louisiana line near Natchez, eastward to the Alabama line near Starkville. He faced Democrat Douglas MacArthur “Doug” Magee, independent Roger Gerrard and the Reform Party’s Barbara Dale Washer.

4th DISTRICT

In a south Mississippi district that stretches down to the Gulf Coast, Republican incumbent Steve Palazzo of Biloxi won re-election against Democrat Matt Moore, independent Cindy Burleson, the Reform Party’s Eli Jackson, independent Ed Reich and Libertarian Joey Robinson. Palazzo, now 44, unseated Democrat Gene Taylor in 2010.

ELSEWHERE

RIGHT TO HUNT–YES

Mississippians voted to enshrine hunting and fishing rights in the state constitution. The issue was placed on the ballot at the urging of hunting groups and lawmakers concerned about animal rights groups’ campaigns in other parts of the country against hunting game. Animal rights groups said there is no assault underway on hunting and fishing, but some sportsmen and lawmakers weren’t convinced.