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R Republican · Incumbent · U.S. House 1, Mississippi · Nov 3, 2026

Trent
Kelly

Republican incumbent Trent Kelly seeks reelection in Mississippi's 1st Congressional District in November 2026.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
17
positions
11
endorsements
5
trentkelly.house.gov ↗(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Cliff Johnson D+ 1 more Compare race →

Background

Trent Kelly is the Republican U.S. Representative for Mississippi's 1st Congressional District, a seat he has held since winning a special-election runoff on June 2, 2015. He was born in Union, Mississippi, and resides in Saltillo, MS. He earned a bachelor's degree and law degree from the University of Mississippi, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College in 2010. 12

Before Congress, Kelly worked as a manager at McRae's Department Store, maintained a private law practice in Saltillo, and served as Tupelo City Prosecutor and Forfeiture Attorney for the North Mississippi Narcotics Unit (1999–2011). He then served as District Attorney for Mississippi's 1st Circuit Judicial District from 2012 to 2015. 12

In Congress, Kelly serves on the House Armed Services, Intelligence, and Agriculture committees. He is seeking reelection in the November 3, 2026 general election as the incumbent Republican candidate in Mississippi's 1st District. 11114

Kelly has received endorsements from organizations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. His campaign website is kellyformississippi.com, paid for by Kelly for Congress. 1219

At a glance

Party
Republican · Incumbent
Running for
U.S. House · District 1, Mississippi
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
U.S. Representative, Mississippi's 1st Congressional District
Website
trentkelly.house.gov(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 5
    filing
    Kelly identified as one of three candidates on Mississippi 1st District Nov. 3 general-election ballot

    The Mississippi Free Press identified Kelly (R), Cliff Johnson (D), and Johnny Michael Baucom (L) as the three candidates expected on the Nov. 3 general-election ballot. Kelly is seeking a seventh term. Fundraising figures through June 30 showed $1,004,205 raised, $749,399 spent, and $863,665 cash on hand.

    Meet the Candidates for Mississippi's First House District · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Sep 25
    news
    Kelly announces bid for top Republican spot on House Armed Services Committee if reelected

    Kelly told Mississippi Today he would seek the top Republican position on the House Armed Services Committee if reelected, saying he has 'a long history of working on national defense strategy.' He would be competing with Reps. Rob Wittman and Ronny Jackson for the role.

    Trent Kelly running to lead GOP on House Armed Services · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Sep 16
    news
    Kelly and Democrat Johnson differ on Trump, voting policy, and the war in Iran ahead of MS-1 race

    Mississippi Today reported that Kelly and challenger Cliff Johnson differed over President Trump's performance, voting policy, and the war in Iran. Kelly was described as a defender of Trump's defense and national-security decisions, and also expressed support for federal aid for farmers and the SAVE Act requiring proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote.

    Trump weighs heavily in 1st District Mississippi midterm · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Aug 4
    news
    Kelly and Mississippi GOP House members issue statement backing Trump defense, farm-aid, and election-security policies

    Kelly and Mississippi's other Republican House members released a statement supporting Trump's defense, farm-aid, and election-security policies. The statement said: 'The threats facing our nation require the Department of War to have the resources necessary to defend the United States and protect American interests.'

    Trump weighs heavily in 1st District Mississippi midterm · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Combat Veterans for Congress PAC organization
    The PAC's endorsement page lists Kelly among its endorsed combat veterans. No date is provided for this endorsement. combatveteransforcongress.org
  • Pro-Israel America organization
    Listed as an endorsement on iVoterGuide's 2026 general-election candidate profile. No endorsement date or further details are provided. ivoterguide.com
  • Campaign for Working Families organization
    Listed as an endorsement on iVoterGuide's 2026 general-election candidate profile. No endorsement date or further details are provided. ivoterguide.com
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce organization
    The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced on August 19, 2026 that it endorsed Kelly for Mississippi's 1st District, supporting his reelection campaign. uschamber.com · Aug 19, 2026
  • Donald Trump official
    Trump endorsed Kelly for reelection according to a Washington Examiner endorsement tracker published February 17, 2026. The tracker does not give the date Trump made the endorsement. washingtonexaminer.com · Feb 17, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$1.00M
Spent
$749K
Cash on hand
$864K

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6MS01131(opens in a new tab)

Sources 17

  1. [1] Life(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  2. [2] Endorsements Of The Combat Veterans For Congress PAC(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  3. [3] Issues Home : Congressman Trent Kelly(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  4. [4] Meet the Candidates for Mississippi's First House District(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  5. [5] Economy / Jobs : Congressman Trent Kelly(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
  6. [6] Healthcare : Congressman Trent Kelly(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
  7. [7] Trent Kelly running to lead GOP on House Armed Services(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
  8. [8] Trump weighs heavily in 1st District Mississippi midterm(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
  9. [9] Johnson, Baucom hope to unseat heavily favored incumbent Kelly in ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 26, 2026
  10. [10] U.S. Chamber Endorses Rep. Trent Kelly for Mississippi's ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 19, 2026
  11. [11] Mississippi congressman backs bill to expand agricultural ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 18, 2026
  12. [12] Voter Guide Profile for MS U.S. House, Dist. 1 candidate - Trent Kelly(opens in a new tab) Jul 30, 2026
  13. [13] Reining in the Department of Education - Trent Kelly(opens in a new tab) Jul 9, 2026
  14. [14] KELLY, JOHN TRENT — U.S. House — MS-01(opens in a new tab) Mar 31, 2026
  15. [15] Trump endorsement tracker: Here's who the president has ...(opens in a new tab) Feb 17, 2026
  16. [16] Wicker, Hyde-Smith, Palazzo, Kelly, Guest Call for Transparency and Accountability in 2020 Election Count(opens in a new tab) Nov 9, 2020
  17. [17] August 31, 2018 - Trent Kelly(opens in a new tab) Aug 31, 2018
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