Janice R. Andrews
A Mississippi state legislative hopeful, James Michael Thompson Jr., has been indicted for threatening to eliminate his primary challenger in 2023. The 38-year-old Jackson resident is accused of making violent threats, including a claim to employ a “Deep South militia” to remove his competitor during the campaign for Mississippi’s 7th State House District.
The State Attorney General’s Office (AGO) unveiled the indictment, which alleged that Thompson threatened two individuals, one being his political adversary. While the AGO has not identified the victims, it is widely speculated that one of them is Rep. Sarah Beth Wilson, who ultimately secured the seat in 2024. Wilson had previously submitted legal documents in 2023, claiming that Thompson had harassed her and expressed a desire to see her eliminated.
Consequently, a Mississippi court issued Wilson and her associate, conservative commentator David Hawkins, a temporary protective order. Soon after, Thompson withdrew his candidacy. The AGO reports that Thompson fled the state and was discovered residing in Louisiana. He was subsequently extradited and made his initial court appearance in Biloxi last Monday.
Thompson faces charges of interstate communication of a credible threat to harm, which carries a maximum penalty of six years if found guilty. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, in conjunction with the Jackson Police Department, is managing the case as part of the AGO’s Electoral Safety Initiative.
Wilson’s office has refrained from commenting on the matter but highlighted a recent uptick in death threats against her, raising alarms about the escalating aggression in politics. Wilson is presently seeking re-election, with the Republican primary for her position canceled after she remained the sole qualified candidate.
