PHILADELPHIA, Miss.–State Sen. Jenifer Branning was declared the winner Friday in the Nov. 26, runoff election for Mississippi Supreme Court, District 1, Seat 3.
Branning defeated incumbent Jim Kitchens by a narrow margin, similar to the general election, which caused the runoff.
Branning, an attorney from Neshoba County by trade, serves as a Republican state senator, and during her campaign called herself a “constitutional conservative”, promising she would strictly interpret the law.
Kitchens was going for a third term. He was supported largely by Democrats, including support from the Southern Poverty Law Center.
“During the 16 years that I was privileged to serve the people of Mississippi on their highest court, I have kept my oath of office by administering justice without respect to persons and by doing equal right to the poor and the rich,” said Kitchens, in a prepared statement following the loss.
“I will continue to serve the cause of justice by returning to the practice of law.”
