Mississippi voters headed to the polls on March 3, 2026, to participate in the state’s Senate primary elections, setting the stage for the November general election. The primary results are crucial as Democrats aim to regain control of the Senate, needing a net gain of four seats to do so, while Republicans seek to maintain and expand their narrow majority. The outcome of these primaries will significantly impact the battle for control of Congress during the second half of President Donald Trump’s term.
Early voting and Election Day turnout were closely monitored, with election officials providing data to news organizations like NBC News and the Associated Press to project winners and assess the overall voter engagement. The Mississippi Senate primary is particularly important as it represents a key contest in a state traditionally leaning Republican, offering Democrats a potential pathway to flipping a seat. The data used for projections includes early vote counts and real-time updates from county election officials.
As of 10:31 PM ET on March 3, 2026, results were still coming in for several key races. In the Senate primary, Democrats need to defend every seat they currently hold and flip four more to gain control. The House, where Republicans currently hold a narrow majority, is as well a key battleground, with Democrats needing to flip just three seats to regain control.
Arkansas Senate Primary Results
In Arkansas, the Republican Senate primary was won by John Boozman, securing 81.6% of the vote, according to full results reported by NBC News. Source: NBC News. On the Democratic side, James Shoffner emerged victorious with 78.3% of the vote. Source: NBC News.
North Carolina Senate Primary Results
North Carolina also held Senate primaries on March 3rd. Ted Whatley won the Republican primary with 64.6% of the vote. Source: NBC News. For the Democrats, Cooper secured a decisive victory, garnering 92% of the vote. Source: NBC News.
Texas Senate Primary Results – Runoff Expected
The Texas Senate Republican primary is headed for a runoff, with John Cornyn receiving 41.9% of the vote. Source: NBC News. On the Democratic side, Talarico led with 52% of the vote, but did not secure enough to win outright. Source: NBC News. Further details on the runoff election date will be announced shortly.
Mississippi House District 2 Primaries
In Mississippi’s House District 2, Wilson secured the Republican nomination with 53.4% of the vote, defeating Reller who received 47.6%. Source: NBC News. On the Democratic side, Thompson won with a significant 86.2% of the vote, followed by Turnage at 12.5% and Williams at 1.3%. Source: NBC News.
Longtime incumbent Bennie Thompson is expected to return to Congress for his 18th term after successfully navigating a Democratic primary challenge in Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District. Thompson, a ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee and former chair of the Jan. 6 committee, defeated challengers Evan Turnage and Pertis Williams III. Source: USA Today
These primary results provide an early indication of the political landscape heading into the 2026 midterm elections. The focus now shifts to the general election campaigns, where candidates will vie for the support of voters across the state. The outcomes of these races will play a critical role in determining the balance of power in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
As the election cycle progresses, voters can expect continued coverage of candidate platforms, campaign strategies, and key issues shaping the political debate. Stay informed and engaged as we move closer to the November elections.
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