DeSoto County officials released on Apr. 22 the list of candidates who will appear on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 general election. Voters in DeSoto County will decide several judicial and federal races, including those affected by newly structured judicial districts.
The upcoming election is significant as it features a mix of countywide and precinct-specific contests. The ballot includes races for Chancery Court, Circuit Court, Court of Appeals, County Court Judge positions, as well as seats in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
For the Seventeenth Chancery Court District, Place One will see Vicki Daniels running countywide. Place Two has Elizabeth “Beth” Owens and William “Ty” Scott vying for votes across the county. In Place Three – Subdistrict 17-1, Gwendolyn Baptist and Malenda Harris Meacham are listed; this race will only appear on ballots in select precincts.
In the Twenty-First Circuit Court District, Gordon Shaw Jr. and Joseph “Jody” Neyman are candidates for Place One (countywide), while Celeste Embrey Wilson runs unopposed in Place Two (countywide). W. Douglas Hollowell III is running for Place Three (countywide). Lucius Edwards and John Hughes compete in Place Four – Subdistrict 21-1; this contest is limited to certain precincts.
The ballot also features two positions for County Court Judge with Allen Couch and H. “Craig” Treadway as candidates. For appellate court seats in District 1, John Weddle faces Derek Dewayne Hopson Jr. in Place One while Donna M. Barnes is listed for Place Two.
Federal races include incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith facing Democrat Scott Colom and Independent Ty Pinkins for U.S. Senate representation from Mississippi. In the U.S House race representing Mississippi’s First Congressional District, incumbent Republican Trent Kelly faces Democrat Cliff Johnson and Libertarian Johnny Baucom.
Election information such as voter registration deadlines and absentee voting dates can be found on the DeSoto County Elections Page according to local officials.
