3rd Congressional District race too close to call

Published 9:21 am Wednesday, June 8, 2022

U.S. Congressman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) is in a tight race to keep his seat in Congress.

Challenger Michael Cassidy had a strong showing in Tuesday’s Republican Primary. Wednesday morning, with 85 percent of precincts reporting, Cassidy held a 528 vote lead over the incumbent Guest — 48 percent to 47 percent. Thomas Griffin, the third contender, drew approximately 6 percent of the vote.

A candidate needed 50 percent of the vote plus one in order to walk away the clear winner and avoid a runoff. As it stands, a runoff will take place June 28 between the two Michaels.

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This was the first election under the new Congressional maps following the most recent redistricting. Cassidy took 49 percent or more of the vote in the new areas of the district. Guest’s strongest showing was in Oktibbeha, Rankin and Scott counties.

In Lincoln County, Guest marginally outperformed Cassidy, garnering 1,083 votes to the newcomer’s 1,006, or 47.7 percent to 44.3 percent.

Only 2,271 votes were cast in the county, including absentee ballots, amounting to only 10.77 percent of eligible voters.

Click here for breakdowns by Lincoln County polling places.