On February 6, Mississippi Republican Congressman Alan Nunnelee died at the age of 56. Mississippi law requires the Governor to call a special election, and the Governor must choose the date within 60 days after the seat becomes vacant. In the November 2014 election, Congressman Nunnelee was re-elected in the First District, defeating his Democratic opponent by 102,622 to 43,713. A Libertarian in that 2014 race polled 3,830 votes, and a Reform Party nominee polled 946 votes.

Mississippi special elections are non-partisan, with no party labels on the ballot.