Cindy Hyde-Smith (R, Class 2) is up for re-election in 2026. Roger Wicker (R, Class 1) — Armed Services Committee member — was re-elected in 2024 and is next up in 2030. Wicker is NOT on the 2026 ballot.
- Cindy Hyde-Smith (R, Class 2) seeks re-election — appointed 2018, won special election 2018, won full term 2020. First woman from Mississippi elected to the U.S. Senate. Race rated Safe Republican.
- Trump won Mississippi by 22.9 points in 2024 (60.9%–38.0%). Mississippi is one of the most reliably Republican states in Senate elections.
- Hyde-Smith won the 2020 full-term election by 10.8 points over Democrat Mike Espy — their second match-up (Espy ran in the 2018 special too).
- Roger Wicker (R, Class 1) holds Mississippi's other seat — re-elected 2024, not up until 2030.
Key Facts — Mississippi Senate 2026
Historical Results — Mississippi Senate (Class 2)
*2018 was a special election runoff held November 27, 2018 after no candidate reached 50% on Election Day. Hyde-Smith also survived a primary challenge from state Sen. Chris McDaniel in the special.
2026 Senate Context & National Landscape
While Mississippi has no competitive Senate race in 2026, the national Senate landscape is highly consequential. Democrats hold a narrow path to a Senate majority, requiring net gains in a map that favors Republicans. The Generic Ballot currently shows Democrats with a significant national advantage, but Senate maps often diverge from House dynamics due to state-specific factors.
Key competitive Senate races in 2026 include Georgia (Ossoff, D), Nevada (Rosen, D), Ohio (special election), Iowa (open seat), and Montana (Daines, R). The outcome of these races will determine Senate control through 2028. See the full Senate 2026 overview for all 33 Class 2 seats and current ratings.
National factors shaping all 2026 races include Trump's approval rating (currently at 38.1% approve, 59.2% disapprove), the economic outlook following Liberation Day tariffs, and immigration enforcement as a mobilizing issue for both base voters. The independent and swing voter bloc will be decisive in competitive states, while safe states like Mississippi are largely insulated from national wave dynamics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is up for re-election in Mississippi in 2026?
Cindy Hyde-Smith (R, Class 2) is seeking her first re-election for a full term. She was originally appointed in 2018, won a special election in 2018, and won a full Class 2 term in 2020. Roger Wicker holds Class 1 and is not up until 2030.
Is Roger Wicker running for re-election in Mississippi in 2026?
No. Wicker (R, Class 1) was re-elected in 2024. His next election is 2030. The 2026 Mississippi race is Cindy Hyde-Smith's Class 2 seat, formerly held by Thad Cochran.