If Mississippi students decided the future, Democrat BarackObama will be the country’s next president.

The senator from Illinois defeated Republican Sen. John McCainof Arizona in a statewide mock election sponsored by the Secretaryof State’s Office’s “Promote the Vote” program. Of 514 schoolssigned up to participate, 328 turned in results from school-levelmock elections held earlier this week.

“This is a tremendous turnout for our students and a great wayto get them started in the democractic process,” said Secretary ofState Delbert Hosemann.

In the presidential race, Obama captured 52,904 votes toMcCain’s 44.489. Five other candidates garnered a combined 3,166votes in the student mock election.

In a closely watched special election to fill the remainder ofretired U.S. Sen. Trent Lott’s term, appointed Republican incumbentRoger Wicker defeated former Gov. Ronnie Musgove, a Democrat. Thestudent vote was 45,119 for Wicker and 30,032 for Musgrove.

Among other races, longtime Republican Sen. Thad Cochrandefeated Democratic challenger Erik Fleming by a margin of 45,756to 39,594.

In the race for representative of the state’s 3rd congressionaldistrict, which includes Lincoln County, Republican Gregg Harperdefeated Democrat Joel Gill 12,276 to 8,183. The winner ofTuesday’s real election will succeed Rep. Chip Pickering, who chosenot to seek re-election this year.