Meet Mississippi’s Democratic delegates who’ve pledged their support behind Kamala Harris
The fate of the next Democratic presidential nominee is in the hands of thousands of delegates from across the country. Forty of them call Mississippi home.
That candidate will most likely be current Vice President Kamala Harris. She’s the frontrunner for the Democrats following President Joe Biden’s announcement he was exiting the 2024 presidential race Sunday afternoon.
Harris needs the support of 1,976 delegates to secure the nomination. Starting August 19, they’ll cast support for a nominee at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
As of Monday evening, Mississippi’s delegates have unanimously agreed on backing Harris, though they can technically choose whoever they wish.
Mississippi Democratic Party prepares
Chiekh Taylor, chair of the state Democratic Party said there’s been a wave of excitement since Harris likely became the Democrat’s frontrunner this weekend. It’s been chaotic, he said, but the good kind of chaotic
“This is pivotal,” he said. “I have a daughter who has just started her career. The world has to look at her differently because she’s got a little bit of Kamala Harris in her. I’m looking and this delegation is looking to support the best candidate in this race with a proven track record.”
He’s hoping Mississippi, a deep red state, will hear out the new presidential campaign for its ideas which he said has a lot to offer them. He also notes the efforts the state’s party has made in including folks from diverse backgrounds and especially the young vote.
“I’ve worked in many organizations and many capacities, often in leadership roles. But I can tell you, if you want the work to be done and to a high quality, you get a woman to do it,” Taylor said of Harris. “We’re the party of hope.”
Here’s a list of Mississippi’s DNC delegates
U.S. Representative Bennie G. Thompson
State party officials: Party Chair Cheikh Taylor, Vice Party Chair Jodie Brown, 2nd Congressional District Chair Willie Griffin, 3rd Congressional District Chair Peggy Rogers
State legislators: State Rep. Zakiya Summers, State Rep. Robert Johnson III, State Rep. Justis Gibbs, State Rep. Kabir Karriem, State Rep. Lawrence Blackmon, State Sen. Derrick T. Simmons, State Sen. Sarita Simmons, State Sen. Earle Banks, State Sen. David Blount, State Sen. Rod Hickman
Mayor Errick Simmons of Greenville
County Democratic committee chairs: Chair of Harrison County Anna Gines, Chair of Forrest County La’Keylah White
Other leaders and activists: Candidate for U.S. Senate Ty Pinkins, Ballot initiative sponsor Kelly Jacobs, Mississippi Federation of Democratic Women President Lovie West, Transportation commissioner Willie Simmons, Political strategist Pamela Shaw, Moss Point NAACP President Curley Clark, national committeewoman Jacqueline Amos
All others: Wil Colom, Charles Taylor, Tracey Prince, Kathy Sykes, Addie Green, Tanya Gray, Melanie Sowell, Jamie Franks, William Wheeler, Mala Brooks, Ashley Floyd, Sandra McCall, Jen Waller, Jacqueline Andrews, Stefon Ward
Alternates: Patricia Brady, Mississippi Democratic Party Secretary David Rushing, Terry Rogers
The names on this list were provided by the state Democratic Party.
This story was originally published July 24, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
