Jackson native to challenge incumbent Representative Bennie Thompson in March 10th, 2026 primary for Mississippi’s 2nd District

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Contact: press@evanturnage.com

JACKSON, MS — Today, Jackson native Evan Turnage announced his run for Mississippi’s 2nd congressional district in the U.S. Congress. The 33-year-old antitrust lawyer will be challenging incumbent Representative Bennie Thompson as a Democrat in the March 10, 2026 primary.

As former Chief Counsel to then-Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senior Counsel to Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Turnage crafted integral pieces of legislation including the No Kings Act, which reinforces the constitutional fact that presidents do not have immunity for criminal actions, and the Price Gouging Prevention Act to address rising costs at the grocery store, which was adopted for Vice President Harris’ presidential platform.

“Mississippi’s 2nd was the poorest district in the poorest state when I was born. Sadly, after 33 years of the same leadership, that’s still true,” Evan said announcing his campaign. “It’s time someone fought for Mississippi. Too often, families across my community have been forced to watch their loved ones grow up online as they build lives past the state line, chasing economic opportunities that simply don’t exist at home. I’m running for Congress because I’ve dedicated my life to leveling the playing field so people can not only get by, but get ahead, and raise a family right here. I look forward to earning the support of this district to make it easier for Mississippians to come home.” 

About Evan Turnage

Evan Turnage was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, in a home where faith, hard work, and service were inseparable. His parents, Ellie and Ellis, showed him that success wasn’t just about what you achieved for yourself -- it was about what you gave back. This dedication underpinned his academic pursuits at Murrah High School, Morehouse College, and Yale Law School, as well as the pro bono work he did at law firm Kirkland & Ellis, where he worked to expunge records of the innocent so they could get their lives back and eligibility for employment restored. 

Seeing firsthand just how broken competition laws were in America, Evan’s conviction to fix the system eventually took him to Capitol Hill, where he rose through the ranks to eventually serve as the top lawyer in the U.S. Senate. Day after day, he worked to hold corporations accountable, expand voting rights, and fight for an economy that works for everyone.

Evan currently heads the Southern Justice Project at the Open Markets Institute, a bold initiative based in Jackson to help communities across the Black Belt reclaim economic and political power.

Go online to evanturnage.com to learn more.

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