Then, he asked the students what the term “inalienable rights” means. After a few muffled responses, he told them: “Our rights come from God and they can’t be taken away.”

At a Hinds County Community College candidates’ mixer earlier this month, Musgrove shook hands with students, but few of them asked about his platform. Unlike McNinch, most voters have already decided on a candidate.

“I love the fact that he’s for education,” said 20-year-old Lydia Nettle, a black supporter of Musgrove.

Byron Story, 20, who is white, said Wicker has his vote.

“His values and ideas are along with mine,” said Story, whose family usually votes Republican.