BOLTON, Miss.–Congressman Bennie Thomspon keeps his job after a race with a Republican challenger that may have been uncomfortably tight in terms of Thompson’s past challengers.
Thompson defeated Ron Eller, a veteran and physicians assistant, with Thompson taking 59 percent of the vote.
Thompson, who began his political career as mayor of Bolton and as a Hinds County supervisor, has held the office of 2nd District Congressman since 1993, when he won in a special election.
But, Tuesday’s win was the hardest-fought Congressional race in Mississippi, with Eller at some points having as much as 44 percent of the vote.
Thompson, 76, has taken harsh criticism for his introduction of a bill that would have removed President-elect Donald Trump’s Secret Service protections, had he gone to prison. He attributes his victory to advocacy for causes dear to the Delta.
“Obviously my vote in support of education, healthcare, better transportation, broadband access for everyone in the district, got me the votes I needed,” he said. “I’ll go back, carry that message and I’ll do all I can for the people of the 2nd District.”
Thompson is now Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security. He was also in charge of the Jan. 6 Committee, and has vocally expressed disdain for Trump.
A member of Thomspon’s staff was fired after expressing glee over the attempted assassination of the former president, which also prompted some of Thomspon’s opponents to put pressure on him to resign.
