HERNANDO, Miss. — General elections are being held tonight across DeSoto County and other districts, with voters casting ballots for the Mississippi State Senate. The county is home to four Senate districts: the 1st, 2nd, 11th, and 19th. Each district has its own ballot with different candidates.
To find your district, consult the map below or use the following link: https://dcms-gis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=7ee7335236fe4c968635e083c143f480
The Candidates
Here is a look at the candidates running for the Mississippi State Senate districts in DeSoto County:
District 1
- Michael W. McLendon, R (Incumbent): McLendon, an insurance producer, has served as senator for District 1 since 2020. Born in Dallas, Texas, he attended the University of Memphis and Northwest Mississippi Community College. He is a member of the Hernando Chamber of Commerce, the DeSoto Arts Council and DeSoto Family Theatre. He is a member of Hernando United Methodist Church. His current committee memberships include Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency; Education; Energy; Executive Contingent Fund; Finance; Insurance; Medicaid; and Public Health/Welfare.
- Chris Hanna, D: Hanna, born in Memphis, Tennessee, served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi. He is a Catholic and currently works in business. He is committed to securing better funding for schools, raising teacher pay, and protecting Medicare and Medicaid. He advocates for tax reform that “eases burden on middle-class families,” protecting Second Amendment rights and protecting patient access to cannabis. (The last sentence is a bit confusing)
District 2
- Charlie Hoots, R: Hoots is a retired major for the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department Aviation Unit and a former news photographer for Channel 3 (WREG). He served three terms as an alderman and was the executive director of the Mississippi State Parks Foundation. He is campaigning on a platform to keep taxes low and invest in neighborhoods, roads, sidewalks and critical infrastructure. He also advocates for updates to first responder facilities, equipment and staffing.
- Theresa Gillespie Isom, D: Isom was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and earned degrees from Shelby State Community College, College of St. Francis and the University of Knoxville. She worked as a registered nurse and chief nurse officer at the Methodist Hospital System in Memphis, and as director of nursing at a Practical Nursing School in Memphis. Her priorities include strengthening public schools, increasing access to better jobs and wages, maintaining safe and healthy communities, and providing equity for parents and families.
District 11
- Reginald Dejuan Jackson, D (Incumbent): Jackson has been a senator since 2024. Born in Marks, Mississippi, he is a farmer and engineering technician who graduated from Georgia Southern University. His current committee memberships include Agriculture, Appropriations, Corrections, County Affairs, Drug Policy, Environment Protection, Conservation and Water Resources; and Ethics.
- Kendall Prewett, R: Prewett, a small business owner who attended Horn Lake High School, aims to be a strong conservative voice. His priorities include creating better and high-paying jobs, holding the government accountable and reducing crime. He also campaigns to stop illegal immigration in Mississippi, protect the Second Amendment and is Pro-Life.
District 19
- Kevin Blackwell, R (Incumbent): Blackwell has served as senator for District 19 since 2016. He attended San Diego Mesa College, National University, and Medical College of Virginia. He is a small business owner and a health care executive. He is a former president of the Southaven Chamber of Commerce and a past president of Southaven Rotary.
- Dianne Dodson Black, D: Black was born in Barton, Mississippi. She graduated from Unrii School of Beauty Culture and has owned her own hair salon. She is affiliated with the DeSoto Marshall County Federation of Democratic Women, the DeSoto NAACP, the Olive Branch Chamber of Commerce, the Psi Beta Zeta Amicae Chapter in Southaven, and St. Luck Church of God in Christ.
Results: (Will be posted after announced)
Casting a ballot is a fundamental right for all Americans. It is essential to exercise this right to elect representatives. Voters are encouraged to conduct their own research before making a final decision.
• All information was obtained from candidates’ websites, Ballotpedia, and the Mississippi Legislature’s website.
