Cliff Johnson
MS-01 Democratic nominee?
$2.5K
MAR 17, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleAttorney
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderMale
LocationMississippi
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BackgroundAttorney
EducationColumbia University School of Law (J.D., 1992)
Notable personal detailsJames Clifton (“Cliff”) Johnson II is an American attorney and Democratic politician who ran for the U.S. House in Mississippi's 1st Congressional District in the 2026 election cycle. He is director of the Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center and a faculty member at the University of Mississippi School of Law. He previously practiced law in Jackson, Mississippi, including as a founding partner at Pigott & Johnson, P.A. In March 2026, he won the Democratic nomination for Mississippi's 1st Congressional District.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Opposes tax cuts that benefit the wealthy and emphasizes protecting health care and supporting middle- and working-class families; frames corporate profits and inadequate support for working families as problems to address through federal policy.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to affordable health care and protecting Affordable Care Act subsidies to keep coverage affordable for residents of Mississippi. Opposes cuts that would strip health-care support from families and emphasizes government action to increase access to care.
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Immigration & Border
Cliff Johnson has criticized aggressive ICE raids in Mississippi, advocated against criminal prosecutions of low-level immigrant workers, and requested temporary work authorization for those detained while their immigration cases proceed. He emphasizes the humanitarian impacts of enforcement and describes immigrant workers as hardworking community members. His public record focuses on protecting immigrants from harsh enforcement and seeking humane remedies rather than expanded border enforcement measures.
News
Cliff Johnson is in the news because of the Supreme Court case Watson v. Republican National Committee, which could affect whether absentee ballots that arrive after Election Day are counted. The Republican challenge is being closely watched because it could change how votes are handled in future elections. The justices appear skeptical of the GOP’s argument, which suggests the challenge may not succeed.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements