PHILADELPHIA, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – Neshoba County’s Shuwaski Young is calling on Mississippi Republican Party leaders to refocus on voters. Young is a Republican running for secretary of state. He also faulted the use of party headquarters for a campaign event. At the time, counties were still counting votes in the U.S. Senate race.
Young also serves on the Neshoba County Republican Executive Committee.
What Young said
In a statement Friday, he said the party should focus on the Senate race and on counting every legal ballot.
Instead, he said, one candidate launched a campaign from party headquarters.
“That was an inappropriate use of a space that should have been working for the Republican Party and its candidates statewide,” Young said.
He also said the timing “raises serious questions about the political judgment and priorities of our party leadership.”
“We need candidates with substance, not simply access to party headquarters,” Young said.
Who announced at headquarters
Young’s statement does not name the candidate. However, Mississippi Today reported that Whitney Lipscomb started her campaign at party headquarters in Jackson on Thursday. She is also running for secretary of state. So far, they are the two Republicans who have announced runs for the office.
Lipscomb is the top lawyer for the Republican Attorneys General Association. She also worked for former Gov. Phil Bryant and Attorney General Lynn Fitch.
Also on Thursday, Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Mike Hurst spoke at the Hinds County Courthouse. He said the Senate race is “far from being over.” Hurst also said the party has more than 50 volunteer attorneys and observers across the state.
As of Friday morning, Queen City Newsfeed found no public response to Young’s statement from the party or from Lipscomb. Queen City Newsfeed also sent Young follow-up questions Friday. This story will be updated with any response.
Where the Senate race stands
The race between Democrat Scott Colom and Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith is still undecided. As of 11:36 a.m. Friday, Colom had 467,066 votes. Hyde-Smith had 465,056. That puts Colom ahead by 2,010 votes, the Associated Press reported. However, the AP has not called the race.
Both campaigns say they expect to win. Mississippi has no automatic recount. Instead, after results are certified, a candidate can ask to review the ballots. Then they can take any problems to court.
“Frankly, this Senate race has become far more competitive than many expected, including myself,” Young said.
Young also said Democrats are getting ready to spend more across the South in 2027 and 2028. Because of that, he said Republicans should work on reconnecting with voters.
Young said he has spent the past 17 months meeting Republicans across the state. He said they are worried about costs, community safety, election integrity, jobs and traditional Christian values.
“They want a Republican Party that listens to them, not one consumed by bureaucrats and political insiders in Jackson and Washington, D.C.,” Young said.
What this means for you
The secretary of state helps run state elections. The office also handles new business filings and manages state land. So this race matters to voters and business owners in every county.
Secretary of State Michael Watson is running for lieutenant governor. So his seat will be open next year.
Young has run as a Democrat in the past. He was the party’s nominee for Congress in 2022 and for secretary of state in 2023. However, he dropped out of the 2023 race, citing health concerns. He left the party in October 2024.
No Democrat had announced a run as of Thursday.
If you voted by affidavit
Voters use an affidavit ballot when there is a question at the polls. If you cast one because you did not have a photo ID, you have until 5 p.m. Nov. 10 to act. Go to your circuit clerk’s office. Show an acceptable ID or apply for a free Voter ID card.
The Mississippi Center for Justice also urges affidavit and absentee voters to call their circuit clerk. Ask if your ballot was accepted. If it was not, ask why. You can also call the state Voter ID Hotline at 1-844-678-6837.
Mailed absentee ballots need a postmark dated by Election Day. They must also reach the circuit clerk by 5 p.m. Nov. 10.
Counties have until Nov. 13 to send certified results to the state. Certified means the count is official. The secretary of state then declares results by Dec. 3.
