Jenifer Ann Burrage Branning (born March 13, 1979) is an American lawyer and politician. She has been serving as a Republican member of the Mississippi State Senate since January 2016, representing the 18th District.
Jenifer Branning | |
|---|---|
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| Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court | |
Elect | |
| Assuming office January 2025 | |
| Succeeding | Jim Kitchens |
| Member of the Mississippi State Senate from the 18th district | |
| Assumed office January 5, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Giles Ward |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jenifer Ann Burrage March 13, 1979 Neshoba Co., Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Chancy Branning |
| Relatives | Olen Lovell Burrage (grandfather) |
| Education | Mississippi State University (BA) Mississippi College (JD) |
Early life and education
editBranning 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]
Legal and political career
editBranning 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 Friday, December 6, 2024, it was announced that Branning won the runoff to unseat Kitchens.[9]
Personal life
editBranning 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.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "State Sen. Jenifer Branning wins a Mississippi Supreme Court seat". 2024-12-06. Retrieved 2024-12-06.