Cliff Johnson
DCivil rights lawyer and law professor
Won the March 10, 2026 Democratic primary
Cliff Johnson is a civil rights lawyer who has practiced law in Mississippi for 33 years and works as a director and law professor. He holds a law degree from Columbia University School of Law.[4][5]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
Positions on the issues
- SupportsExpand public health coverage
Candidate Connection survey says he is passionate about health-care policy, citing unaffordable insurance and Mississippians losing Medicaid and ACA coverage.[5]
- SupportsRaise taxes on high earners or corporations
Criticizes the Trump administration and its supporters for focusing on tax cuts for 'the super-rich' while wages remain flat.[5]
In their words — priorities
- "Working People Matter": says flat wages and rising prices for groceries, housing and health care are squeezing North Mississippi families while tax cuts go to the wealthy.[5]
- "Democracy Matters": says the politicization of the military, attacks on the judiciary, and dismantling of government agencies threaten checks and balances.[5]
- "Independence Matters": describes himself as a lifelong Democrat dedicated to Mississippians rather than to a political party.[5]
Background
- Earned a bachelor's degree from Mississippi College and a law degree from Columbia University School of Law.[4]
- Has practiced law in Mississippi for 33 years as a civil rights lawyer, including work ending debtors' prisons across the state and expanding poor defendants' access to counsel.[5]
- Works as a law professor.[5]
Campaign money
Raised $551K · spent $402K · $150K cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗