Buying Time 2016 – Mississippi
This page features campaign advertisements from Mississippi’s 2016 state supreme court elections.
Four seats were up for election on the Mississippi Supreme Court. Justices for the Mississippi Supreme Court are chosen by district in contested nonpartisan elections and serve eight year terms. There are 3 judicial districts covering the state and each district elects 3 of the 9 seats on the state high court. Mississippi Supreme Court candidates do not run in a primary. On November 8, incumbent Justice Jim Kitchens defeated Court of Appeals Judge Kenny Griffis for Place 3 in the 1st District and was reelected for a second term. In the 2nd District, incumbent Justice Dawn Beam defeated attorney Michael T. Shareef for Place 2. Finally, incumbent Justice Jimmy Maxwell ran unopposed for Place 2 in the 3rd District and was elected. Attorney John Brady, Circuit Judge James T. “Jim” Kitchens, Circuit Judge Bobby Chamberlin, and attorney Steve Crampton are all ran in an open election for Place 1 of the 3rd District. Brady and Judge Chamberlin were the top two vote-getters in the November 8 election, and competed in a the runoff election on November 29. Judge Chamberlin was elected to the term.
The Brennan Center used multiple sources for spending information, which showed the following:
Kantar Media/CMAG: Estimated Total Spending: $1,858,710*
- Estimated Spending by Jim Kitchens: $431,870
- Estimated Spending by Kenny Griffis: $193,430
- Estimated Spending by Improve Mississippi PAC: $479,140
- Estimated Spending by the Center for Individual Freedom: $754,270
*Spending estimate last updated on: May 30, 2017
FCC Contracts: Recorded TV Contracts: $1,018,189*
- Television ad buys recorded for Jim Kitchens: $219,966
- Television ad buys recorded for Kenny Griffis: $105,786
- Television ad buys recorded for Improve MS PAC: $246,895
- Television ad buys recorded for the Center for Individual Freedom: $326,710
- Television ad buys recorded for Bobby Chamberlin: $46,012
- Television ad buys recorded for James T. Kitchens: $5,085
- Television ad buys recorded for John Brady: $32,735
- Television ad buys recorded for Dawn Beam: $35,000
*Recorded ad buys last updated on November 2, 2016
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November 6 – Stand Firm
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
Griffis says he is “a conservative judge, guided by the constitution, faith in our creator, and family values…”
Sponsor: Kenny Griffis
Estimated Spending (Kantar Media/CMAG): $9,290
October 31 – Loopholes
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad says Kitchens “repeatedly sided with predators and murderers.”
Sponsor: Center for Individual Freedom
Estimated Spending (Kantar Media/CMAG): $468,570
October 27 – Disgusting Nasty Ads Rev
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad says the ads against Kitchens aren’t true and are funded by “Washington corporate interests.”
Sponsor: Jim Kitchens
Estimated Spending (Kantar Media/CMAG): $71,240
October 27 – Caring For Those In Need
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad says Griffis is “a conservative who respects our Mississippi values.”
Sponsor: Improve Mississippi PAC
Estimated Spending (Kantar Media/CMAG): $264,390
October 26 – A Special Place
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad describes Griffis’ upbringing and his commitment to families.
Sponsor: Improve Mississippi PAC
Estimated Spending (Kantar Media/CMAG): $16,820
October 24 – Stand Up for Victims
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad criticizes Kitchens for “siding with child predators.”
Sponsor: Center for Individual Freedom
Estimated Spending (Kantar Media/CMAG): $285,700
October 19 – Bilbo Mitchell
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
Bilbo Mitchell, a district attorney in the 10th district, voices his support for Griffis
Sponsor: Kenny Griffis
Estimated Spending (Kantar Media/CMAG): $39,410
October 17 – Disgusting Nasty Ads
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
In this ad Jim Kitchens says the ads attacking him are false and paid for by corporate interests.
Sponsor: Jim Kitchens
Estimated Spending (Kantar Media/CMAG): $40,740
October 13 – Lost His Way
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad says Jim Kitchens “has a pattern of letting victims down.”
Sponsor: Improve Mississippi PAC
Estimated Spending (Kantar Media/CMAG): $197,930
October 5 – Helped Families
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad says Jim Kitchens was a crime fighter who helped families.
Sponsor: Jim Kitchens
Estimated Spending (Kantar Media/CMAG): $102,990
October 5 – Crime Fighter
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad highlights Kitchens’ experience, integrity, and other positive qualities.
Sponsor: Jim Kitchens
Estimated Spending (Kantar Media/CMAG): $27,250
September 24 – Christian Values
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad emphasizes Griffis’ upbringing with christian values, which he says he “use[s] on the court of appeals.”
Sponsor: Kenny Griffis
Estimated Spending (Kantar Media/CMAG): $144,330
September 1 – Mary
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad calls Kitchens “unwavering in his honest” and “dedicated to justice.”
Sponsor: Jim Kitchens
Estimated Spending (Kantar Media/CMAG): $189,650
News
Jimmie E. Gates, State High Court Race Takes Political Tone, The Clarion-Ledger, June 18, 2016.
Methodology
Data on ad airings and spending on ads are calculated and prepared by Kantar Media/CMAG, which captures satellite data in the nation’s largest media markets. CMAG’s estimates do not reflect ad agency commissions or the costs of producing advertisements, nor do they reflect the cost of ad buys on local cable channels. Cost estimates are revised by Kantar Media/CMAG when it receives updated data, resulting in some fluctuations in the reported ad spending.
Data on spending on ads was also compiled from ad purchase contracts posted by the FCC and from state disclosure databases when available.