Hester Jackson-McCray is a Democratic member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, serving District 40 in DeSoto County. Born in Chicago, she has resided in Horn Lake, Mississippi, since 2001 and made history as the first African American to represent DeSoto County in the state Legislature and only the third African American to represent a majority-white district since Reconstruction.

She defeated incumbent Ashley Henley in the November 2019 general election, winning with limited campaign funds of about $7,000 despite previous unsuccessful runs for Horn Lake mayor and alderwoman. Her victory provided a rare bright spot for Mississippi Democrats after a challenging 2019 election cycle. A key priority is sponsoring legislation for fairer pay for public school teachers.

Education and Political Experience

Specific details on her formal education are not detailed in available public records. Prior to her legislative role, Jackson-McCray sought local office multiple times without success, building experience in DeSoto County politics. She currently serves on relevant House committees, focusing on district priorities like education.