DeSoto County, Mississippi

Mississippi Court of Appeals, District 1, Position 1 (special election)

2 candidates are tracked for Mississippi Court of Appeals, District 1, Position 1 (special election) on the November 3, 2026 ballot: John Weddle and Derek Dewayne Hopson Jr.. Candidate information follows official DeSoto County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Special election for the remainder of an eight-year term, called after Gov. Tate Reeves appointed John Weddle to the seat effective October 14, 2024, per the Governor's official announcement. DeSoto County is within Court of Appeals District 1 and this race appears on the county's own official November 3, 2026 candidate listing.

What this office does

Appellate or supreme court justice. Appellate judges review decisions of trial courts for legal error rather than retrying facts. A state supreme court is the final word on state law and the state constitution. Candidates may describe their experience and judicial philosophy but may not promise outcomes in particular cases.

This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels. The sitting officeholder, John Weddle, is on the ballot.

Mississippi › DeSoto County › Mississippi Court of Appeals, District 1, Position 1 (special election)

John Weddle

Nonpartisan Incumbent

Biography

Weddle was appointed to the Mississippi Court of Appeals by Gov. Tate Reeves, with his term beginning October 14, 2024, per the Governor's official announcement. He previously served as District Attorney for the First Circuit Court Judicial District since 2015, as Public Defender for Lee County, and as Municipal Court Judge for Tupelo, and has practiced law since 1995, per the same source. No campaign website was found as of September 9, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for John Weddle.

Derek Dewayne Hopson Jr.

Nonpartisan

Biography

Derek Dewayne Hopson Jr. appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Mississippi Court of Appeals, District 1, Position 1 (special election), per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 9, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Derek Dewayne Hopson Jr.

Next on your ballotMississippi Court of Appeals, District 1, Position 2

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Mississippi Court of Appeals, District 1, Position 1 (special election) in 2026?

When is the Mississippi Court of Appeals, District 1, Position 1 (special election) election in Mississippi?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Mississippi are on the Mississippi election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact DeSoto County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official DeSoto County and state election office filings, last verified October 1, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Mississippi election office, or see the full DeSoto County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your DeSoto County ballot

10 tracked races in DeSoto County, Mississippi. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

DeSoto County Court Judge Chancery Court Judge, 17th Chancery Court District, Place One Chancery Court Judge, 17th Chancery Court District, Place Two See all 10 DeSoto County races

Candidate profiles

John Weddle, full profile Derek Dewayne Hopson Jr., full profile Official Mississippi election office