Though the district presents an uphill challenge for Democrats, Prentiss County Chancery Clerk Travis Childers (D) added his name to the list of candidates seeking to replace now-Sen. Roger Wicker (R) in the 1st district.

Childers, who formally announced on Monday, has shown a knack for fundraising since signaling his interest in running in the spring special election and Democratic primary for November’s general election. He recently announced that he had raised $100,000 for his campaign.

Childers’ toughest competition in the special election will likely come from Republicans Greg Davis, who serves as mayor of Southaven, and Glenn McCullough, the former mayor of Tupelo who also served as the board chairman for the Tennessee Valley Authority. Among fellow Democrats vying for Wicker’s old seat, state Rep. Steve Holland appears to be Childers’ biggest challenge.
— John McArdle