2023 Mississippi gubernatorial election

The 2023 Mississippi gubernatorial election will take place on November 7, 2023 to choose the governor of Mississippi. Incumbent Republican Governor Tate Reeves is running for re-election to a second and final term in office.[1] Primary elections were held on August 8.[2] Incumbent Republican Governor Tate Reeves won the Republican nomination, while Brandon Presley won the Democratic nomination unopposed.

See also: 2023 Mississippi elections and 2023 United States gubernatorial elections

2023 Mississippi gubernatorial election
November 7, 2023
 
Nominee Tate Reeves Brandon Presley
Party Republican Democratic
Incumbent Governor

Tate Reeves
Republican


Elections in Mississippi
Federal government
U.S. President
U.S. Senate
U.S. House
State government
State elections
Gubernatorial elections
State Senate elections
House of Representatives elections
Attorney General elections
Ballot measures
2001
2004
2020
City of Jackson
Mayoral elections

Background

This will be the first Mississippi gubernatorial election since a 2020 referendum altered the election process. Previously, under a provision crafted as part of the 1890 Constitution of Mississippi, a candidate needed a majority of voters across the state and a majority voters in a majority of state House of Representatives districts; if no candidates achieved such a result, the state House of Representatives would choose between the top two finishers, something that last happened in 1999.

This structure was referred to as Mississippi’s version of the electoral college; it was originally crafted, in the words of the Mississippi Historical Society, as part of "the legal basis and bulwark of the design of white supremacy". In the 21st century, because the state House districts have been drawn to favor Republican candidates, the provision was seen as helping Republican gubernatorial candidates as well.[3] Under the new law, any candidate who receives a majority of statewide votes will be elected; if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, a statewide runoff election between the top two candidates will be held.[4]

A socially conservative Southern state, Mississippi is considered safely Republican at the federal and state level, with both of its U.S. senators, all but one of its U.S. representatives and all statewide officers currently belonging to the Republican Party. In the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump comfortably carried Mississippi by 17 percentage points. Incumbent governor Tate Reeves was first elected in 2019, narrowly defeating then-attorney general Jim Hood, who was the only Democrat elected to hold statewide office in Mississippi at the time.

Most analysts consider Reeves to be a favorite to win reelection, given the state's partisan lean. Nonetheless, some consider the race to have the potential to become competitive, citing factors such as Reeves' narrow victory four years prior and the heavy criticism he has faced for his handling of the Jackson water crisis and for his ties to a welfare corruption scandal, both of which have led him to have the lowest approval ratings of any Republican governor in the country. The Democratic nominee, Brandon Presley, is considered to be a potentially strong general election candidate; he has represented the Northern district on the Mississippi Public Service Commission since 2008, despite that district having a strong Republican bent, and holds relatively moderate views on social issues, thus being closer to fitting the state.[5][6]

Republican primary

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Declined

Polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[lower-alpha 1]		 Margin
of error		 David
Hardigree		 Tate
Reeves		 John
Witcher		 Other Undecided
Mississippi Today/Siena College Jun 4–7, 2023 646 (RV) ± 4.8% 0% 59% 0% 8%[lower-alpha 2] 33%
American Strategies[upper-alpha 1] May 22–24, 2023 646 (LV) ± 3.9% 2% 70% 4% - 24%
Hypothetical polling
Tate Reeves vs. Bill Waller Jr.
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[lower-alpha 1]		 Margin
of error		 Tate
Reeves		 Bill
Waller Jr.		 Undecided
Mississippi Today/Siena College January 3–8, 2023 821 (RV) ± 4.6% 52% 29% 19%

Results
Results by county:
  Reeves
  •   >90%
  •   80–90%
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
Republican primary results[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tate Reeves (incumbent) 281,213 74.70%
Republican John Witcher 66,698 17.72%
Republican David Grady Hardigree 28,561 7.59%
Total votes 376,472 100.00%

Democratic primary

Nominee

Disqualified

Declined

Fundraising
Campaign finance reports as of June 9, 2023[29]
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Brandon Presley $1,760,057 $773,134 $1,714,455

Results
Democratic primary results[30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brandon Presley 163,541 100.00%
Total votes 163,541 100.00%

Independents

Withdrawn
  • Gwendolyn Gray, nonprofit executive[7] (endorsed Presley, remained on ballot)[31]

Declined

General election

Predictions
Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[32] Lean R October 23, 2023
Inside Elections[33] Lean R September 1, 2023
Sabato's Crystal Ball[34] Likely R October 16, 2023
Elections Daily[35] Safe R July 12, 2023

Debate
Dates Location Presley Reeves Link
November 1, 2023 WAPT Studios
Jackson		 Participant Participant

Endorsements

Tate Reeves (R)
Organizations
Brandon Presley (D)
Executive Branch officials
U.S. Representatives
Statewide officials
State senators
State representatives
Local officials
  • Buddy Palmer, Councilman for Ward 5 of Tupelo (Republican)[43]
  • Chip Wood, Alderman for Ward 3 Corinth (Republican)[43]
Individuals
  • Gwendolyn Gray, nonprofit executive and former 2023 gubernatorial candidate (Independent)[47]
  • Margaret Huang, human rights and racial justice advocate[48]
Labor unions
Newspapers and other media
Organizations

Polling
Aggregate polls
Source of poll
aggregation		 Dates
administered		 Dates
updated		 Tate
Reeves (R)		 Brandon
Presley (D)		 Other
[lower-alpha 4]		 Margin
Real Clear Politics August 20 – October 2, 2023 October 5, 2022 51.5% 42.0% 6.5% Reeves +9.5%
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[lower-alpha 1]		 Margin
of error		 Tate
Reeves (R)		 Brandon
Presley (D)		 Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D)[upper-alpha 2] October 19–20, 2023 601 (V) ± 4.0% 46% 45% – 10%
Magnolia Tribune/Mason-Dixon September 27 – October 2, 2023 625 (LV) ± 4.0% 51% 43% – 6%
Mississippi Today/Siena College August 20–28, 2023 650 (LV) ± 4.0% 52% 41% 1%[lower-alpha 5] 6%
Impact Research (D)[upper-alpha 3] August 6–9, 2023 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 46% 46% – 8%
OnMessage Inc. (R)[upper-alpha 4] July 7, 2023 – – 49% 32% – 19%
Impact Research (D)[upper-alpha 3] April 24–27, 2023 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 47% 44% – 9%
Mississippi Today/Siena College April 16–20, 2023 783 (RV) ± 4.3% 49% 38% 7%[lower-alpha 6] 6%
Magnolia Tribune/Mason-Dixon March 6–10, 2023 625 (RV)[lower-alpha 7] ± 4.0% 46% 39% – 15%
Mississippi Today/Tulchin Research[upper-alpha 5] January 21–25, 2023 500 (RV) ± 4.4% 43% 47% – 10%
Mississippi Today/Siena College January 3–8, 2023 821 (RV) ± 4.6% 43% 39% 2%[lower-alpha 8] 14%
Impact Research (D)[upper-alpha 3] December 2022 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 49% 42% – 9%
Hypothetical polling
Tate Reeves vs. generic opponent
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[lower-alpha 1]		 Margin
of error		 Tate
Reeves (R)		 Generic
Opponent		 Undecided
Mississippi Today/Siena College April 16–20, 2023 783 (RV) ± 4.3% 36% 60% 4%
Mississippi Today/Siena College January 3–8, 2023 821 (RV) ± 4.6% 33% 57% 10%

Results
2023 Mississippi gubernatorial election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Tate Reeves (incumbent)
Democratic Brandon Presley
Independent Gwendolyn Gray (withdrawn)
Write-in
Total votes

Notes
  1. Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. "Someone else" with 8%
  3. Waller is a Republican, but media sources speculated that he might run as an independent.
  4. Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
  5. "Someone else" with 1%
  6. "Not going to vote" with 6%; "Someone else" with 1%
  7. Additionally, "[a]ll indicated they were likely to vote in the November general election".
  8. "Some other candidate" with 2%
Partisan clients
  1. This poll was sponsored by the National Apartment Association and the National Association of Realtors. The poll was never officially released, and was instead leaked by the Magnolia Tribune in June 2023.[21]
  2. This poll was sponsored by the Democratic Governors Association
  3. This poll was sponsored by Presley's campaign
  4. This poll was sponsored by Reeves' campaign
  5. This poll was sponsored by the Southern Poverty Law Center

References
  1. "Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves files for reelection bid". Clarion Ledger. January 3, 2023.
  2. "Mississippi elections, 2023". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  3. https://www.vox.com/2019/10/11/20903401/mississippi-jim-crow-law-rig-election-electoral-college-jim-hood-tate-reeves
  4. https://mississippitoday.org/2020/11/04/for-the-first-time-in-state-history-voters-remove-jim-crow-provision-from-mississippi-constitution/
  5. Vakil, Caroline (January 23, 2023). "Democrats see Mississippi governor's race as ripe for an upset". The Hill. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  6. Lucas, Fred (April 21, 2023). "3 deep red state governors' races that could be surprisingly competitive in 2023 — and even expand Dem control". Fox News. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  7. "Candidate qualifying deadline passes and reveals slate of 2023 statewide candidates". www.wlbt.com. February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  8. "Mississippi doctor against vaccine mandate runs for governor". www.wlbt.com. January 24, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  9. Harrison, Bobby (October 16, 2022). "Gov. Tate Reeves' low poll numbers could embolden opposition in 2023". Mississippi Today.
  10. "Number of election qualifiers has trickled as 5 p.m. deadline approaches today".
  11. Pender, Geoff (December 21, 2020). "Gov. Tate Reeves straddling fences, catching flak from all quarters". Mississippi Today. Mississippi News and Information Corporation. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  12. Bakken, Bob (December 27, 2022). "Foster announces run for supervisor".
  13. "Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson announces re-election bid for 2023". July 28, 2022.
  14. Harrison, Bobby (August 4, 2022). "House in limbo as Speaker Philip Gunn weighs run for governor". Mississippi Today. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  15. "Mississippi Speaker of the House Philip Gunn announces he will not run for reelection". The Clarion-Ledger. November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  16. "Bill Waller Jr. 'strongly considering' a primary challenge of Gov. Tate Reeves". January 3, 2023.
  17. "Ex-justice Waller will not run for Mississippi governor". AP NEWS. January 31, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  18. Vance, Taylore (December 17, 2022). "Secretary of State Michael Watson mulls move to oust Gov. Tate Reeves". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  19. Journal, TAYLOR VANCE Daily. "Michael Watson will run for re-election as secretary of state". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  20. Bonelli, Cam (August 15, 2022). "Auditor talks future". Laurel Leader-Call. Shad White isn't planning a run for governor, but he will be running for reelection as state auditor.
  21. Latino, Russ (June 26, 2023). "Newly leaked poll put McDaniel up in Lt. Governor race, BUT…". Magnolia Tribune. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  22. "2023 Republican primary results". Mississippi Secretary of State. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  23. Hernandez, Rachel (January 12, 2023). "Brandon Presley joins race for Mississippi governor". WKRG. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  24. Harrison, Bobby (February 17, 2023). "Democrats disqualify Brandon Presley's primary challengers for governor". Mississippi Today. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  25. Salers, Caleb (May 26, 2023). "Formerly disqualified Democratic gubernatorial candidate wins lawsuit against party, back on ballot". Supertalk Mississippi. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  26. Pittman, Ashton (June 13, 2023). "Presley Will Be Lone Democrat In Governor Primary, Court Rules". Mississippi Free Press. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  27. "Former congressional candidate Shuwaski Young preparing for 2023 statewide run as Democrat". January 9, 2023. Young did tease his belief that Democrats will field a strong candidate to challenge Reeves for governor, an office that Young has said he is not seeking.
  28. Crown, Kayode (January 10, 2023). "Shuwaski Young Launches Bid For Mississippi Secretary of State". Mississippi Free Press. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  29. "Report of Contributions and Dispursements". Mississippi Secretary of State. June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  30. "2023 Democratic primary results". Mississippi Secretary of State. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  31. "Gwendolyn Gray endorses Brandon Presley for governor". WJTV. October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  32. Taylor, Jessica (October 23, 2023). "Mississippi Governor Moves From Likely To Lean Republican". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  33. "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  34. "2024 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  35. "Election Ratings". Elections Daily. July 22, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  36. Lake, Richard (September 13, 2023). "Reeves draws business endorsement as Presley campaigns on coast". WJTV 12 News. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  37. NRA-PVF. "NRA-PVF Grades Mississippi". NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on September 11, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  38. Owens, Mary (June 6, 2023). "SBA Pro-Life America's Candidate Fund Endorses Pro-Life Champion Gov. Tate Reeves for Re-election". SBA Pro-Life America. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  39. "Endorsements and claims in governor's race". www.desotocountynews.com. September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  40. "2023 MARPAC Endorsed Candidates". msrealtors.org. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  41. "Gulf Coast Business Council Political Action Committee Endorses Governor Tate Reeves". www.wxxv25.com. October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  42. Bakken, Bob (May 9, 2023). "Presley endorsed by the Mississippi State Council Of Machinists". DeSoto County News. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  43. Vance, Taylor (September 20, 2023). "Former Republican congressman endorses Democrat Brandon Presley for governor". Mississippi Today. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  44. Ganucheau, Adam (January 12, 2023). "Rep. Bennie Thompson endorses Brandon Presley in governor's race". Mississippi Today. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  45. Latino, Russ (June 12, 2023). "National Democrats Line Up to Support Presley's Bid for Governor". Magnolia Tribune. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  46. Bakken, Bob (August 29, 2023). "Presley launches 'Rural Mississippi Counts,' rural leaders backing his campaign". DeSoto County News. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  47. White, Khristopher (October 9, 2023). "Gwendolyn Gray endorses Brandon Presley for governor". WJTV12 News. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  48. "SPLC Action Fund endorses Brandon Presley in Mississippi's governor's race". Jackson Advocate News Service. May 22, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  49. Bakken, Bob (October 12, 2023). "Presley earns the endorsement of the Central South Carpenters". Desoto County News. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  50. "State's teachers union endorses Brandon Presley in governor's race". Mississippi Today. June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  51. "NEMiss.News endorses Brandon Presley: The only proven public servant running for Governor". NEMiss News. September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  52. Imes, Peter; Smith, Slim; Plair, Zack (May 13, 2023). "Our View: Presley is the clear choice for governor". The Commercial Dispatch. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  53. Jira, Violet (October 26, 2023). "From the editor's desk: Why The Daily Mississippian is making a political endorsement". The Daily Mississippian. Archived from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  54. "For pro-life Mississippians, there's only one choice in November - Democrats For Life of America". www.democratsforlife.org. Archived from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
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