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Mississippi Supreme Court candidate Josiah Coleman waves to passing motorists while campaigning outside the Oxford Conference Center in Oxford, Miss. on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Oxford Eagle, Bruce Newman)
Coleman’s eight-year term will begin in January. The 39-year-old will take the seat of retiring Justice George C. Carlson Jr.
Strong support from business groups helped push Coleman past Phillips.
Phillips, 65, touted his 40-year legal career including criminal and civil law. He has been a prosecutor and has represented local governments and businesses.
Although judicial candidates run without party labels, the state Republican Party had endorsed Coleman.
Coleman had raised $252,000 by Oct. 30, with help from groups such as BIPEC, Mississippi Manufacturers Association, Mississippi Association of Realtors and Mississippi Medical PAC.
Phillips had raised $415,000 by Oct. 30, with support mainly from lawyers.