Jenifer Branning
Jenifer Branning | |
|---|---|
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| Justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi | |
| Assumed office January 6, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | James W. Kitchens |
| Member of the Mississippi State Senate from the 18th district | |
| In office January 5, 2016 – January 6, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Giles Ward |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jenifer Ann Burrage March 13, 1979 Neshoba County, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Chancy Branning |
| Relatives | Olen Lovell Burrage (grandfather) |
| Education | Mississippi State University (BA) Mississippi College (JD) |
Jenifer Ann Burrage Branning (born March 13, 1979) is an American lawyer and politician who has served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi since January 2025. She had been a Republican member of the Mississippi State Senate from January 2016 to January 2025, representing the 18th district.
Early life and education
[edit]Branning was born on March 13, 1979, in Neshoba County, Mississippi. Her family has deep roots in Neshoba County, with a history spanning five generations.[1] Her grandfather — Olen Lovell Burrage — owned the farm where the bodies of murdered civil rights activists James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner were found buried in a dam in 1964.[2][3] Burrage, a member of the Ku Klux Klan, was implicated in the cover-up of the murders but was acquitted in 1967 by an all-white jury, using the defence that he was not present at the farm on the night of the murders.[4][5]
Branning graduated from Mississippi State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.[6] She went on to pursue legal studies and obtained a Juris Doctor degree from the Mississippi College School of Law in 2004.[6]
Career
[edit]Branning began her professional career as a lawyer in Philadelphia, Mississippi, where she established herself in legal practice.[1] In 2015, she entered the political arena by running for the Mississippi State Senate seat previously held by Giles Ward, who chose not to seek re-election.[1] Branning won the election and was sworn into office on January 5, 2016. She represents the 18th District, which includes parts of Leake, Neshoba, and Winston counties.[6]
In February 2024, Branning announced her candidacy for a seat on the Mississippi Supreme Court.[7] She advanced to a runoff against incumbent Justice Jim Kitchens.[8] On December 6, 2024, it was announced that Branning won the runoff to unseat Kitchens.[9] Branning was sworn into office on January 6, 2025.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Branning is married to Chancy Branning, and they reside in Philadelphia, Mississippi. They are of the Christian faith.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Myers, Debbie Burt (August 26, 2015). "Branning wins Senate race". The Neshoba Democrat. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ Harrison, Heather (21 November 2024). "Mississippi Supreme Court Candidates' Records Sharply Diverge on Medical Cannabis, Unelected Judges and More". Mississippi Free Press. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ Sharon, Keith. "Can a community overcome its horrible past? An inside look at Philadelphia, MS". The Tennessean. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ "Olen Burrage, acquitted of conspiracy in 1964 Klan slayings of 3 civil rights workers, dies". Associated Press. Fox News. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ Martin, Douglas. "Olen Burrage Dies at 82; Linked to Killings in 1964". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Jenifer B. Branning". Mississippi State Senate. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ "State Sen. Jennifer Branning announces run for Mississippi Supreme Court - SuperTalk Mississippi". Super Talk. 2024-02-02. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
- ^ Holdiness, Timothy (2024-11-21). "MISSISSIPPI SUPREME COURT: Kitchens, Branning in Supreme Court Runoff". The Newton County Appeal. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ^ "State Sen. Jenifer Branning wins a Mississippi Supreme Court seat". 2024-12-06. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
- ^ Mitchell, J.T. (January 6, 2025). "New Mississippi Supreme Court justices to be sworn in Monday". Supertalk. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
Statewide political officials of Mississippi | ||
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| U.S. senators |  | |
| State government | ||
| Senate |
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| House |
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| Supreme Court |
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- 1979 births
- Living people
- 21st-century American judges
- 21st-century American women judges
- 21st-century American women politicians
- 21st-century members of the Mississippi Legislature
- Christians from Mississippi
- Justices of the Mississippi Supreme Court
- Mississippi College School of Law alumni
- Mississippi lawyers
- Mississippi State University alumni
- People from Philadelphia, Mississippi
- Republican Party Mississippi state senators
- Women state legislators in Mississippi