The Mississippi Supreme Court runoff election for District 2 is approaching, with voters set to make their decision on Tuesday, Nov. 26. This race is a contest between incumbent Justice Jim Kitchens, who has served on the Supreme Court since 2008, and State Senator Jenifer Branning, who has spent nine years in the legislature. Each candidate presents a distinct vision for the role of a Supreme Court justice, grounded in their unique backgrounds and experiences.
Justice Jim Kitchens, a seasoned legal professional, has spent decades building a career rooted in courtroom experience. Kitchens began practicing law in Crystal Springs after graduating from law school at age 24. Opening a small, modest office with a concrete floor and no restroom, he initially handled court-appointed cases for indigent clients. His dedication and talent quickly earned him recognition, culminating in two acquittals in capital murder cases before he turned 25. Kitchens recalls this period as formative, saying, “I worked real hard on those cases and had a lot of success with them. It gave my law practice a shot in the arm—people talked about that kid who won two murder cases.”
At the urging of local law enforcement, Kitchens entered public service as a district attorney for four counties at age 28. He described the role as one he loved, though it came with significant challenges, particularly during the economic struggles of the 1970s. Despite financial hardships stemming from his son’s battle with cancer, Kitchens refused to declare bankruptcy, choosing instead to leave public service temporarily to focus on his legal practice and pay off his debts in full. “I just could not fathom beating doctors and hospitals out of what they had done to save my child,” he said. “So, I went back to work as a private attorney and paid every penny of that money.”
Kitchens’ tenure on the Supreme Court is shaped by his extensive experience in trial courts and his commitment to upholding constitutional protections. He describes himself as a justice who values the independence of the judiciary and the importance of safeguarding individual rights, including trial by jury and protection against unlawful searches and seizures. Promoting the relevance of his trial experience over that of Branning, Kitchens said, “Over 70% of the cases we review come from circuit courts. I can’t imagine going to work at a place where 70% of the work is something you’ve never seen.”
Jenifer Branning offers voters a contrasting vision, shaped by her dual roles as an attorney and state senator. Branning, who has run a small-town legal practice in Philadelphia, Mississippi, for over two decades, spoke of her work representing farmers, small businesses, and families across the state. According to Branning, her career in the legislature has included chairing the Highways and Transportation Committee and advocating for conservative principles, such as reducing taxes and regulations. Branning said that she believes her combined legal and legislative experience equips her to bring a fresh perspective to the Supreme Court. “I’m the only candidate with both legislative and legal experience,” she explained. “I know what it means to write laws and make policy changes, but that does not belong in the Mississippi Supreme Court. I will interpret the law just as it’s written.”
Branning said that her campaign is centered on her commitment to faith, family, and freedom. A self-described constitutional conservative, she pledges to strictly interpret the law as written. While admitting that she has less trial experience than Kitchens, she said that she has a different understanding of Mississippi’s legal and policy landscape. “Mississippians need and deserve a justice who will call balls and strikes on the bench,” Branning said. “I’m running to be that justice, to serve as a fair and impartial voice for the people.”
The dynamic between the two candidates has been defined by their differing approaches to the campaign. Kitchens has participated in numerous public forums, including events hosted by the League of Women Voters and bar associations, to articulate his vision for the court. He expressed disappointment that Branning declined invitations to debate or participate in joint appearances, suggesting that she might be avoiding questions about her lack of circuit court experience. “I think she’s a good person and she means well,” Kitchens said. “But she just realizes her deficiencies and doesn’t want to be asked about them.”
Branning has said that she focused on direct outreach to voters, portraying herself as an alternative to Justice Kitchens. She points to the results of the general election, where two-thirds of voters supported someone other than the incumbent. In interviews, she has focused on her want to connect with everyday Mississippians and address their concerns through both advocacy and legislative action. “When a constituent brings me a problem they’ve tried to solve in every other way and they come to me for help, I can provide a solution that, in some cases, makes a generational change for a family,” Branning said.
The election is a debate about what qualifications and perspectives are most valuable on Mississippi’s highest court. Kitchens presents himself as the experienced choice, a justice who has spent his career grappling with the realities of the courtroom and the intricacies of the legal system. “I bring a massive amount of experience to the table,” he said. “I’ve spent my career in trial courts, and I know what these cases look like from the ground up.”
Branning offers voters a vision of renewal, emphasizing her dedication to conservative principles and her ability to bring a legislator’s understanding of policymaking to the judiciary. “Mississippians have spoken—they want change on the Supreme Court,” she said. “I’m ready to bring my energy, experience, and passion for public service to the bench.”
With the runoff set for Tuesday, Nov. 26, the decision now rests with the voters of District 2. They will choose between a justice with decades of trial and appellate experience and a challenger who promises a fresh approach.
