1st Congressional District Special Election Candidates

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Three candidates, so far, say they’re running for an open U.S. House seat in north Mississippi.

More are expected to enter the race.

The 1st District seat has been vacant since Republican Rep. Alan Nunnelee died Feb. 6.

Candidates face a March 27 deadline to qualify for the nonpartisan special election, which is May 12. A runoff is June 2.

Candidates so far are state Sen. Nancy Collins of Tupelo, District Attorney Trent Kelly of Saltillo and attorney Quentin Whitwell of Oxford, who previously served on the Jackson City Council.

State Rep. Chris Brown of Aberdeen said Tuesday that he would run. But, he said Thursday that he’s out of the race because his father is retiring and he needs to spend more time with the family’s recreational vehicle dealerships.