AP: Palazzo to face runoff for Republican nominee for Miss. District 4 on June 28

PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) - The Associated Press has called the Mississippi 4th Congressional District GOP Primary as a run-off for incumbent Steven Palazzo. The first in his six terms in office.

The Associated Press made the call around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

At the time of reporting, ninety-nine percent of voting precincts had been reported. Palazzo held 32% of the vote and Mike Ezell held 25%. Clay Wagner was close behind with 22% of the vote. Absentee ballots have yet to be counted.

Palazzo will most likely face off against Ezell, pending final results, in a run-off on June 28.

Palazzo’s campaign released an official statement to the news on Tuesday night.

“It’s an honor to serve south Mississippi, and it’s something I do not take for granted,” said Palazzo. “I’m grateful for our supporters and volunteers who worked hard in this election and who will work hard to help us over the next three weeks. We now turn our attention to the run-off, and we will not be out-worked.”

In Jackson County, Ezell said to WLOX that he was excited about the possibility of taking on Palazzo in a run-off.

“We’re really excited,” said Ezell. “My base is fired up and ready to go. And, we’re getting geared up for the run off. . . . It’s time for a change in Washington, two-thirds of the people in this district have voiced by their votes that they want a change. I believe that I’ll be the change that they ask for.”

Ezell is a Pascagoula native and a retired police officer, previously serving as the former Jackson County sheriff.

Palazzo is a Gulfport native and currently serving his sixth term in office as a U.S. Representative.

The winner of the June 28 run off with face off against the projected Democratic primary winner, Johnny Dupree, in the November general election.

Copyright 2022 WDAM. All rights reserved.

Want more WDAM 7 news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.