The tradition lives on. Mississippians will soon be able to hear from some of their elected officials and candidates making their case for a shot at political office during the upcoming Neshoba County Fair.
Highlighted by former President Ronald Reagan’s famous stump speech at Founder’s Square in 1980 ahead of his first stint in the White House, Mississippi’s political scene is often defined at the Neshoba County Fair year in and year out.
With the 2026 election cycle featuring congressional midterms, this year’s Giant Houseparty could prove effective for outside candidates looking to represent the Magnolia State in Washington, D.C., especially with incumbents not scheduled to take the podium.
The fair is scheduled to run June 19-26, about a month earlier than usual, after officials altered the schedule because of the evolving K-12 academic calendar. Political speaking is set for Wednesday, June 24, and Thursday, June 25, with statewide elected officials and candidates representing the Neshoba County area invited to speak. The full schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, June 24
- 9:30 a.m. — Lane Taylor (R), state senator, District 18
- 9:40 a.m. — Michael Chiaradino (D), candidate for U.S. House, Mississippi’s 3rd Congressional District
- 9:50 a.m. — Ty Pinkins (Ind.), candidate for U.S. Senate
- 10 a.m. — Scott Colom (D), candidate for U.S. Senate
- 10:10 a.m. — Break
- 10:20 a.m. — David McRae (R), state treasurer
- 10:30 a.m. — Lynn Fitch (R), attorney general
- 10:40 a.m. — Delbert Hosemann (R), lieutenant governor
Thursday, June 25
- 9 a.m. — Scott Bounds (R), state representative, District 44
- 9:10 a.m. — DeKeither Stamps (D), public service commissioner, Central District
- 9:20 a.m. — Willie Simmons (D), transportation commissioner, Central District
- 9:30 a.m. — Jenifer Branning, Mississippi Supreme Court justice, District 1, Place 3
- 9:40 a.m. — Kenny Griffis, Mississippi Supreme Court justice, District 1, Place 1
- 9:50 a.m. — Break
- 10 a.m. — Andy Gipson (R), commissioner of agriculture and commerce
- 10:10 a.m. — Michael Watson (R), secretary of state
- 10:20 a.m. — Jason White (R), speaker of the Mississippi House
- 10:30 a.m. — Tate Reeves (R), governor
The week of the fair falls at a time when Congress will be in session, meaning U.S. Rep. Michael Guest, whose district covers Neshoba County, and U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith will not have the chance to stump for reelection.
“The U.S. House of Representatives is in session and voting that week and Congressman Guest will be representing his constituents in Washington,” Guest’s team told SuperTalk Mississippi News, with Hyde-Smith’s camp adding, “The Senate will be in session that week, so Sen. Hyde-Smith will be in Washington working on behalf of all Mississippians.”
The absence of the two GOP congressional members, though valid, leaves the door open for their challengers to have unfettered access to prospective voters.
Challenging Guest is former professional baseball player and now-regenerative farmer Michael Chiaradio, who ran unopposed on the Democratic side during March’s primary election. Chiaradio is scheduled to speak, while Libertarian Erik Kiehle, a property manager and volunteer firefighter from Meridian, is not on the schedule.
Guest is a former prosecutor from Rankin County who was first elected in 2018. He currently serves as chair of the House Committee on Ethics and has seats on the House Homeland Security and Appropriations committees. He has an endorsement from President Donald Trump and ran unopposed in the primary election.
Hyde-Smith’s challengers consist of Columbus-based district attorney Scott Colom, running as a Democrat, and independent Ty Pinkins, a U.S. Army veteran and Delta-based attorney. The two candidates are set to appear back-to-back on stage during the first day of political speaking.
Hyde-Smith, a Trump-backed Republican, was early in announcing her reelection bid, first revealing her plans in March 2024 to SuperTalk Mississippi News. She then officially launched her campaign in August 2025 during a trip to Jackson with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins by her side.
At the state level, almost all elected officials will give a stump speech. Republican Auditor Shad White will be the only one absent, and his team has notified SuperTalk Mississippi News that he will be fulfilling military obligations. White is an officer in the Mississippi National Guard.
Notable statewide officials scheduled to speak are Gov. Tate Reeves, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, Secretary of State Michael Watson, Attorney General Lynn Fitch, Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson, and Treasurer David McRae. House Speaker Jason White will also be given time at the podium.
At the local level, elected officials whose districts reach Neshoba County will have time to address their constituents. These include state Supreme Court Justices Kenny Griffis and Jenifer Branning, state Sen. Lane Taylor, state Rep. Scott Bounds, Central District Public Service Commissioner De’Keither Stamps, and Central District Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons.
After the upcoming fair wraps up, all Mississippi eyes will be centered on next year’s Neshoba County Fair with 2027 featuring a gubernatorial election and other down-ballot races.
