The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi, Southern Poverty Law Center and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP successfully argued in a federal court that the former Supreme Court district lines in Mississippi diluted the voting strength of Black voters, violating the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and resulted in redrawing those district lines.
For the Pine Belt, that adds District 45 to the ballot for the first time. For Forrest and Perry County residents, a non-partisan race for the 12th Circuit Court will also appear on the ballot. The Pine Belt News reached out to learn more about the candidates and their stances on the top priorities for the 2026 legislative session.
District 44
Chris Johnson (R) (Incumbent)
1. What makes you the best candidate for this position?
I am the best candidate because of my hands-on business experience and my legislative experience. As a small business owner, I understand how government can support or hinder economic growth, and I’ve worked to make sure government stays out of the way so our people and businesses thrive. I believe in limited government, fiscal responsibility, and protecting our Mississippi values. Having grown up and built my career right here in District 44, I know our community, our challenges, and our potential. That combination, along with the relationships I’ve built as Vice- Chairman of Finance in the Senate, is what makes me the best candidate for District 44.
2. How do you plan to engage with your constituents?
Throughout my time in the legislature, I have been available to all constituents and will continue to do so. Daily, I work to help and support Constituent needs. I take pride in helping people and have a proven track record of doing so throughout my time in the legislature.
3. What is your stance on school choice/education freedom?
This is a very broad topic. There are many nuances to this terminology. Currently, we use a form of school choice with our special needs vouchers that help students with dyslexia and other special learning conditions. Education in Mississippi is moving up and improving due to the great work and collaborative effort between legislators, administration, and most of all our teachers who put in the work daily on helping our Mississippi students thrive.
4. What is your stance on the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)?
PERS is a great retirement plan that has benefited many state and local employees and retirees through the years. We will continue to honor the agreements that have been made and work to provide a viable retirement system to encourage state and local public employees.
5. What is your stance on early voting?
We currently have early voting in the form of absentee voting. It is available beginning 45 days before election date and continues until noon on the Saturday before the election.
Shakita Taylor (D)
Q: What makes you the best candidate for this position?
A: I’m the best candidate because our district deserves leadership that truly represents our values and priorities. I’ve spent years working alongside families, educators, and small business owners in our district so I know the challenges we face. I will bring transparency, accountability, and compassion to the State Senate. My focus is on real solutions that improve everyday life for Mississippians.
Q: How do you plan to engage with your constituents?
A: I’ll engage with constituents through regular town halls, listening sessions, and open communication online and in person. My goal is to stay accessible, transparent, and responsive to the needs of every corner of our district.
Q: What is your stance on school choice/education freedom?
A: I believe in strong public schools and oppose diverting taxpayer dollars to private institutions. Every child deserves a quality education, qualified teachers, and safe learning environments.
Q: What is your stance on the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)?
A: Our public employees dedicate their lives to serving Mississippi. They deserve the secure retirement they’ve earned. I will work to ensure it remains solvent and sustainable through responsible management, fair funding, and honest oversight. Protecting PERS isn’t just about pension, it’s about honoring our commitments to the people who keep our state running.
Q: What is your stance on early voting?
A: I strongly support early voting and measures that make it easier, not harder, for Mississippians to cast their ballots. Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy, and every eligible voter should have convenient access to the ballot box.
District 45
Johnny Dupree (D)
Q: What makes you the best candidate for this position?
A: My experience as a school board trustee, member of Forrest County Board of supervisors and Hattiesburg mayor and my board membership on Pine Burr Boys Scouts, D. R. E. A. M., Southeast MS Red Cross and National Civic League uniquely positions me as the best candidate.
Q: How do you plan to engage with your constituents?
A: I plan on holding monthly meetings during the legislative session and quarterly after the session. I plan to inform and educate citizens on upcoming legislation and legislation they want me to champion.
Q: What is your stance on school choice/education freedom?
A: Parents already have the option to choose public or private schools for their children. My daughter and her husband decided to have our grandsons educated in private. What I am opposed to is transferring public school funds to private schools.
Q: What is your stance on the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)?
A: I am a P. E. R. S. retiree. I will work tirelessly to make sure this system is viable for years to come.
Q: What is your stance on early voting?
A: I am a proponent of implementing strategies that increase voter participation including; early no excuse voting, Saturday voting, online registration and simplifying mail in voting.
Anna Rush (R)
1. What makes you the best candidate for this position?
I represent a new voice for Hattiesburg, and I care deeply about Hattiesburg's future. As an attorney, I advocate for my clients every day in the courtroom. As a Senator, Hattiesburg will be my most important client, and I am honored and excited to advocate for Hattiesburg at the State Capitol.
2. How do you plan to engage with your constituents?
I'm already actively involved in the Hattiesburg community, and I will stay engaged if I am elected. I plan to regularly meet with our local elected officials as well as leaders in healthcare, education, and economic development, while keeping an open door, active website, and social media engagement for constitutions.
3. What is your stance on school choice/education freedom?
Every degree I have is from a Mississippi public school, and I plan to be a champion for our local public schools and keep public funds in public schools.
4. What is your stance on the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)?
PERS is an investment worth protecting, especially for our educators and our first responders.
5. What is your stance on early voting?
Voting is fundamental. Expanding access to early voting can be a way to increase voter turnout and civic engagement as a whole.
12th Circuit Court Judge
Tangi Carter
Q: What makes you the best candidate for this position?
A: I am the only candidate with substantial jury trial experience. I've tried hundreds of cases before juries. My experience spans 28 years. I have taught criminal procedure, civil procedure, evidence, and numerous other courses at 3 universities. Additionally, I have taught evidence, criminal procedure, and cross-examination techniques to other lawyers throughout the state.
Q: How long have you practiced law and/or served as a judge?
A: I have practiced law for 28 years as a trial attorney.
Q: How will you approach maintaining fairness and decorum in your courtroom?
A: Everyone will have an opportunity to be heard in my courtroom. I know the law and I will apply the law equally and fairly.
Q: Are there any specific issues within our circuit- such as drug courts, youth court or mental health initiatives- that you’d like to see strengthened or expanded?
A: I would like to expand the veteran's court and I would like to see an expansion of drug court to include assisting those with mental health/dual diagnosis issues.
Q: How would you describe your judicial philosophy?
A: My judicial philosophy is that the rules should apply equally to everyone. Additionally, I will not legislate from the bench. I know the law and I will apply the law, regardless of my personal feelings on the issue.
Wes Curry
Q: What makes you the best candidate for this position?
A: There are two things that make me the best candidate for Forrest and Perry County Circuit Court Judge: 1. My experience, and 2. My calling. As to my experience, I am currently serving as Forrest and Perry County Circuit Judge and have served since my appointment in June of 2024. Of the two candidates in this race, I am the only one who is serving as a judge. Besides my current appointment, I was elected Forrest County Justice Court Judge in 2011 and served that in that position until my appointment. I also served as Municipal Court Judge for the City of Hattiesburg from 2017 to 2024. In those two positions, I have handled thousands of cases.
As to my calling, my entire career has been focused on serving our home community in the judiciary. Whether it was clerking for the Mississippi Supreme Court, clerking for the Mississippi Court of Appeals, or in my 13 years serving as a judge, I have always felt called to serve. In doing so, I help people, I hold them accountable, and ensure our community has a fair and efficient court system.
Q: How long have you practiced law and/or served as a judge?
A: I have been Forrest and Perry County Circuit Judge since 2024 when Governor Reeves appointed me. I also served as Forrest County Justice Court Judge since 2012, and as Municipal Court Judge for the City of Hattiesburg since 2017. I have been a practicing attorney since 2000, in Mississippi and Tennessee. I am licensed in state and federal courts. I have been in private practice in Hattiesburg since 2003 and have had cases in 63 of the 82 counties in Mississippi, as well as Tennessee. In total, I have been practicing law for 25 years and have served 13 years as a judge.
In that time, I served as President of the Hattiesburg Area Young Lawyers, as President of the South Central Mississippi Bar Association, Member of the MS Bar Board of Bar Commissioners, Board Member of South Mississippi Legal Services, Vice-President of the Mississippi Municipal Court Judges Association, and was appointed by Justice Randolph to be a member of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance.
Q: How will you approach maintaining fairness and decorum in your courtroom?
A: I approach this the same way I have for the last 13 years. A judge must ensure the rights of all people in the courtroom are protected and respected, and the law must be followed. All people who come into a courtroom are due dignity and respect, and a judge must remember he is no different from the people before the court. If a judge remembers to treat all people the same, regardless of their background, then the people will see they are being treated fairly and respected, and decorum will follow. In some instances, some parties will refuse to respect the system, and in those instances a judge must maintain control of the courtroom while still being fair to all parties.
Q: Are there any specific issues within our circuit- such as drug courts, youth court or mental health initiatives- that you’d like to see strengthened or expanded?
A: Forrest and Perry Counties have one of the finest drug courts in the State of Mississippi, thanks to the work of Judge Bob Helfrich. I plan on continuing this work and making sure it remains successful.
As Municipal Court Judge for Hattiesburg, I presided over its Behavioral Health Court that served defendants who struggled with mental health problems. We were successful in helping many people get treatment, and I was recognized for my work by the Council for State Governments with the 2024 Stephen S. Goss award for leadership. My goal is to add more mental health components into the drug court, to provide our participants more access to treatment that can aid in their recovery.
Q: How would you describe your judicial philosophy?
A: My judicial philosophy is to follow the law as it is written by the legislature and interpreted by the Mississippi Appellate Courts. Judges are not to create new law but take the law as it is given to them and apply it in a way which is fair and impartial to all parties who come before the court. The average citizen will likely never need to know or care about the work that happens in their Circuit Court System. But for the few that do, they are guaranteed a fair trial in my courtroom because all of us are worthy of respect, regardless of our circumstances.
Lastly, I’m always reminded about something my daughter said to me.
She said, “Dad, you don't have to do this. You get to do this.” It is a blessing and an honor to serve the people of Forrest and Perry County. This has been my life’s work for the last 13 years and it’s an honor I don’t take for granted.
