Eller, Foster work to unseat odds-on favorite Thompson in Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District

Eller, Foster work to unseat odds-on.

Key points

• Left to Right: Ron Eller, Bennie Thompson and Bennie Foster (Photos from candidates' Facebook pages).
• The 78-year-old, 33-year incumbent Democrat looks to continue his hold on Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District.
• Republican nominee Ron Eller and independent Bennie Foster are hoping to unseat the 78-year-old incumbent in the November midterm General Election.
• The General Election for Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District is on Tuesday, November 3.
• Mississippi's 2nd District Congressman Bennie Thompson (D) is running for his 18th term in the U.S.

Eller, Foster work to unseat odds-on favorite Thompson in Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District. By: Cass Rutledge – October 23, 2026.

Meanwhile, the 78-year-old, 33-year incumbent Democrat looks to continue his hold on Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District. Bennie Thompson's $1.4 million campaign war chest far exceeds his Republican and Independent challengers. This person have a combined cash on hand of $47, 000.

Mississippi's 2nd District Congressman Bennie Thompson (D) is running for his 18th term in the U.S. House of Representatives after first being elected in a special election in 1993 to succeed Mike Espy. This person was appointed by President Bill Clinton (D) to be U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

Eller, 65, is a physician assistant who previously ran for the seat in 2022 and was the Republican nominee in 2024 while Foster, 58, is a Jackson-based businessman who is a newcomer to seeking political office.

Thompson is the odds-on favorite to win his re-election campaign. The Cook Political Report rates the race as "Solid D."

While establishing himself as a vocal critic of President Donald Trump (R), thompson earned national attention by chairing former Speaker Nancy Pelosi's House Select Committee that investigated the events surrounding the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Thompson additionally has a sizable campaign war chest of just shy of $1.4 million, according to third quarter FEC campaign finance reporting. Meanwhile, Eller has $38, 000 cash on hand and Foster documented less than $9, 200.

Magnolia Tribune sought interviews with each candidate to discuss their policy platforms, what they hope to accomplish in the next Congress, and what sets them apart from the other candidates in this midterm race.

Eller and Foster agreed to be interviewed while the Thompson campaign did not respond to multiple requests.

Eller, the Republican nominee, remarked his policy platform is built around free enterprise, limited administration, individual liberty, a solid national defense, and traditional American values.

"I want to grow our economy by lowering the tax burden, controlling federal spending, encouraging American manufacturing and small businesses, and pursuing an all-of-the-above energy policy, " Eller remarked. "I support securing our borders, protecting the Second Amendment and the right to life, defending individual medical freedom, strengthening election integrity, and requiring government to live within its means."

Foster, an independent candidate, remarked his vision is to "ReIMAGINE Mississippi as a leader in the nation by building better systems that produce measurable results for our communities."

Specifically, Foster believes that "by improving the systems that affect education, employment, healthcare, economic opportunity, public safety, and access to government resources, Mississippi's Second Congressional District can begin reversing decades of population loss and economic challenges and position itself for sustained growth."

If elected to represent the 2nd District, Eller remarked he wants to "make government more accountable to the people who pay for it."

To accomplish this, Eller intends to "rein in wasteful spending, oppose tax increases, secure our southern border, promote American energy independence, protect our constitutional rights, and create an environment where businesses can grow and create good-paying jobs."

According to Eller additionally, congressional term limits are a major priority of his.

"I strongly support congressional term limits because public office should be public service, not a lifetime occupation, " Eller remarked.

Foster, by contrast, remarked that he is not campaigning on promises of what he might be able to do after being elected but is committed to expanding what he has already done outside of office.

Foster pointed to lately securing a "multimillion-dollar grant supporting a comprehensive program serving hundreds of residents and children across six counties within Mississippi's Second Congressional District."

He continued that in Congress, he would "seek to expand approaches like these throughout all 28 counties of MS-02 while improving the systems communities use to access federal resources and demanding measurable outcomes from public investment." Why Voters Should Choose Them.

As for what separates him from the other candidates, Eller remarked that he has spent his life outside of the Washington political establishment, giving him a valuable perspective.

"I served our country for 20 years on active duty in the military. I spent another 20 years working in healthcare, taking care of patients and seeing firsthand the consequences of administration decisions, " Eller stated.

In practice, the Republican remarked he does not look at these matters as a career politician.

"I'm looking at them as a veteran, healthcare professional, businessman, taxpayer, husband, father, and grandfather, " Eller continued.

According to Foster, his experience working in education, business consulting, and community programs, as well as his independent status, separates him from Thompson and Eller.

For context, the independent candidate remarked he believes his "responsibility in Congress would be to the people of the district rather than a political party, " allowing him to work with-or oppose-either side.

Notably, the General Election for Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District is on Tuesday, November 3. Regarding the Author(s).

Cass Rutledge is a law student at the University of Mississippi. A native of Madison, Mississippi, he now resides in Oxford with his wife, Julie. News Frank Corder October 21, 2026.

Trump coming to Mississippi ahead of Election Day to rally backing for Hyde-Smith, GOP field.

For context, the President's return to the Magnolia State to promote the Republican field comes after the Democrat nominee for U.S. Senate has hosted a bevy of national progressive leaders in Mississippi ahead of the November 3 General Election. More From This Author. News Cass Rutledge October 14, 2026.

Northern PSC Commissioner notes Mississippi intends to be a part of what comes next with nuclear energy development. News Cass Rutledge October 13, 2026. Startup plastics manufacturer Koinonia setting up operations in Drew. Business Cass Rutledge October 12, 2026. ALO investing over $176 million in Southaven for national distribution center. News Frank Corder October 23, 2026. Fired Trooper Williams running for Governor of Mississippi as a Democrat. News Frank Corder October 20, 2026.

Poll pushed by Colom claiming Senate race with Hyde-Smith is "tied" was fake, fabricated.

"The ease with which unverified figures were absorbed into mainstream political narratives highlights a systemic breakdown in media vetting and data aggregation, " Wedgewood Polls remarked Tuesday. News Frank Corder October 20, 2026.

Colom gets $1.2 million in ad support from national Democrats in lead up to Election Day.

Meanwhile, the PAC has run ads supporting progressive candidates throughout the U.S. This election cycle, including campaigns aimed at backing Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, James Talarico in Texas, and Chris Pappas in New Hampshire. News Frank Corder October 22, 2026.

Colom campaign event with Harris moved to Columbus High School after MUW declines to host it. News Alex Veiga, Associated Press October 22, 2026.

Average long-term US mortgage rate eases to 7.32% in first pullback since late August. News Frank Corder October 22, 2026. MSGOP claims Colom's AI generated video violates Mississippi law. Business Meredith Biesinger October 22, 2026. New Albany's claim to cake fame: Sugaree's Bakery. Business Frank Corder October 20, 2026. Fairbanks Morse Defense doubling manufacturing capacity at its Pascagoula facility. Business Cass Rutledge October 20, 2026. Lumber manufacturer investing $8.3 million in Macon expansion. Culture Jim Vertuno, Associated Press October 23, 2026.

In short, eller, Foster work to unseat odds-on favorite Thompson in Mississippi’ s 2nd Congressional is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.