5 November 2026
WAYNESBORO, MS – More than half of Wayne County’s registered voters cast a ballot in Tuesday’s midterm election, a turnout that county results show topped 55 percent. The local count also showed a much tighter race in the county for a new circuit judge seat than the district as a whole.
According to unofficial results published by The Wayne County News, 7,029 of the county’s 12,768 registered voters voted either in person on Election Day or by absentee ballot. Another 99 affidavit ballots were cast Tuesday and had not been counted.
How many Wayne County voters turned out?
The short answer: 55.05 percent, before affidavit ballots and late mail ballots are added. That figure comes from the 7,029 ballots counted out of 12,768 registered voters, according to The Wayne County News.
“In somewhat of a pleasant surprise, voters turned out heavily to cast ballots in Tuesday’s midterm elections,” the paper reported. It said turnout was “much higher than the turnout for the last election in the county.”
Turnout was strong across the county. Only two of Wayne County’s 22 precincts came in under 50 percent, the paper reported. The Chaparral/Diamond precinct led the county, with 64.62 percent of its voters casting a ballot. The paper did not name the two precincts below 50 percent.
Counting moved quickly Tuesday night. The first ballot box to reach the courthouse came from Winchester at 7:24 p.m. The last, from Buckatunna, arrived at 8:50 p.m., according to the paper.
How close was the new circuit judge race in Wayne County?
Very close. Wayne County is now part of the new Circuit Court District 18, which also covers Jones, Greene and George counties. Place 1 was the only contested judge race on the county’s ballot, as Pine Belt Guide reported in its Wayne County ballot guide.
In Wayne County alone, Jones County District Attorney Brad R. Thompson received 3,355 votes, or 50.85 percent. Eric Tiebauer received 3,206 votes, or 48.59 percent. That is a margin of 149 votes, according to the county’s unofficial results.
Districtwide, the picture was very different. WDAM reported Tuesday night that Thompson was projected to win the four-county seat with about 74.9 percent of the vote, as Pine Belt Guide reported Wednesday. The Wayne County figures do not include votes from the other three counties.
Thompson told WDAM he was thankful for the support. “I’m extremely excited. I’m grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to it,” Thompson said. “I am very anxious about it, but I just want to say a ‘thank you’ to all the voters who turned out and all the people who supported me in all four counties. I feel great.”
Thompson will succeed retiring Judge Dal Williamson and take the bench Jan. 1, WDAM reported. He told the station he expects Gov. Tate Reeves to appoint someone to serve the rest of his term as district attorney.
Darryl A. Hunt Jr. was unopposed for District 18, Place 2, and received 5,946 votes in Wayne County, according to the unofficial results.
How did Wayne County vote for Senate and Congress?
Wayne County backed the Republican incumbents in both federal races.
In the U.S. Senate race, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith received 3,754 votes in the county, or 53.56 percent. Democrat Scott Colom received 3,075 votes, or 43.87 percent. Ty Pinkins received 179 votes, or 2.55 percent, according to The Wayne County News.
The statewide Senate race was still too close to call Wednesday. WDAM reported Wednesday evening that Colom held a lead of about 1,100 votes statewide with most of the expected vote counted. The Secretary of State’s office has said counties have 10 days to certify results.
In the 4th Congressional District, Rep. Mike Ezell received 4,038 votes in Wayne County, or 57.7 percent. Jeffrey Hulum III received 2,835 votes, or 40.52 percent, and Carl Boyanton received 122 votes, or 1.74 percent. Ezell won re-election districtwide.
Who else was on the Wayne County ballot?
Several judges ran without opposition. Court of Appeals Judge Anthony “Tony” Lawrence received 4,929 votes in the county. Chancery Judge Jerry D. Sharp received 5,971 votes for District 19, Place 1, and Chancery Judge Kathryn Dickerson Clay received 6,043 votes for Place 2.
Closer to home, Robert Dean ran unopposed for the Beat 5 seat on the county school board. He received 1,089 of the 1,142 votes cast in that race. Dean is a former county superintendent of education and former school board member, the paper reported. He takes office in January.
Are the results final?
No. All of these numbers are unofficial. The 99 affidavit ballots “will be reviewed and counted if eligible later this week,” The Wayne County News reported. Mail-in absentee ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 will also count if they arrive within five days of the election.
Those ballots are unlikely to change most local outcomes, but the Place 1 race in Wayne County was close enough that the final county count could shift slightly. It would not change the districtwide result, based on the margin WDAM reported.
Pine Belt Guide is seeking details on the final affidavit count and the county’s certification date from the Wayne County Circuit Clerk’s office.
What comes next for Wayne County voters?
A much bigger local ballot is coming. In 2027, Wayne County voters will choose a sheriff and all five county supervisors, among other local offices, according to The Wayne County News. Qualifying begins in January and runs through Feb. 1, 2027. Party primaries are set for early August, with runoffs later that month.
FAQ
What was Wayne County’s turnout?
About 55.05 percent, with 7,029 of 12,768 registered voters casting ballots, before 99 affidavit ballots and late mail ballots are counted.
Who won the new Circuit District 18, Place 1 seat?
Brad Thompson won the four-county race, WDAM reported. In Wayne County, he led Eric Tiebauer by 149 votes.
When does the new judge take office?
Thompson takes the bench Jan. 1, according to WDAM.
Who won the Beat 5 school board seat?
Robert Dean, who ran unopposed. He takes office in January.
Where can I find official results?
The Wayne County Circuit Clerk’s office, 601-735-1171, handles election results. The Mississippi Secretary of State posts certified results after counties certify.
Sources: The Wayne County News; WDAM; WDAM, Senate race.