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Tate Reeves wins governor’s race as Republican incumbents dominate top offices

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Will Stribling and Mike McEwen
• Published on • Comments
Tate Reeves stands at a podium, gesticulating as he gives a speech after the election was called.
Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves speaks at a election night party in Flowood, Miss., Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Reeves won a second term, defeating Democrat Brandon Presley.
 AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis
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Governor Tate Reeves was elected to a second term on Tuesday, ensuring complete Republican control of state government in Mississippi for another four years.

Reeves defeated Democratic challenger Brandon Presley, who made the race unusually competitive through an aggressive campaign that attracted millions of dollars in out-of-state donations.

‘A setback’

At the Faulkner in downtown Jackson, dozens of supporters of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brandon Presley gathered in hopes of a Gubernatorial upset. 

But by 10:45 p.m., Presley conceded the race despite voting delays in Hinds County. In a brief speech, he reassured supporters as some packed into the small room openly cried. 

"Tonight’s a setback but we’re not going to lose hope. This campaign elevated issues that had to be elevated in Mississippi. They had to be talked about. Medicaid will be expanded at some point, and 230,000 working people will get healthcare. And you will have played a role in that.” 

Presley drew in democratic voters by supporting policies like Medicaid expansion and cutting grocery taxes. Presley also spent time campaigning in Black areas like the Delta, in hopes of galvanizing historic numbers of Black Mississippians to vote.

‘Mississippi did not bend’

At The Refuge in Flowood, Reeves gave a victory speech that reiterated the themes of his campaign, including that the threat to his governorship was the product of national Democrats who want to take over Mississippi. 

“We all now know what it means in a state like Mississippi when you stand up to the national liberals and when you stand up to Joe Biden,” Reeves said. “They threw everything they had at Mississippi… but guess what? Mississippi did not break. Mississippi did not bend. Mississippi is not for sale.”

The incumbent ran on a "Mississippi Momentum" platform focused on gains made in economic development and education during his first term. The message worked with voters, but Reeves still underperformed relative to the seven other Republicans in statewide offices who were also reelected.

While celebrating his victory, Reeves also looked to the future.

“Starting tomorrow morning, I'm gonna get back on the road, recruiting even more jobs for the great state of Mississippi,” Reeves said. “We announced over $6 billion in new projects in 2022 alone, and I got news for everybody out there: we ain't done yet.”

Reeves is now the first person in state history to be elected to two terms as both lieutenant governor and governor.