Republican Gov., AG Primaries Solidify Runoffs, Other Races Pulled Clear Leads

By Anna Grace Usery
Editor-in-Chief
anna.grace.usery@hottytoddy.com

*Editor’s Note: Statistics are from the New York Times’ live election coverage page. State and local runoffs will be held Aug. 27. The general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Some Mississippians went to the polls yesterday with clear indications of who they wanted to lead the state in its next endeavors, others were split.

Because of the state’s split, Republican nominees for governor Tate Reeves and Bill Waller will go to a runoff Aug. 27.

Reeves, the state’s current Lt. Governor, received 48.9% of the total vote (182,692) and Waller garnered 33.3% (124,550). Because Reeves did not receive half of the total votes in the primary, it constitutes a runoff in the state of Mississippi.

The winner of the runoff will face Democratic candidate Jim Hood, who trailblazed the lead on the blue ticket with 68.8% of the vote (199,185). The opponent with the closest gap in votes was Michael Brown, with 11.1% of votes. Velesha P. Williams, who was the only female gubernatorial candidate, received 6.8% of votes on the night.

Early in the night around 8 p.m., the votes told a different story. Reeves was neck-and-neck with Robert Foster, a third Republican candidate vying for governor who received a total of 17.8% of the vote, with 66,441. Waller slowly replaced the second-place spot and Reeves maintained a steady, yet close lead.

For Lieutenant Governor, Oxford resident Jay Hughes, who ran uncontested, will face Republican opposition Delbert Hosemann. The Associated Press called Hosemann’s race first in the night after he pulled a quick and heavy lead over opponent Shane Quick. Hosemann recorded 86% of the vote with 309,385. Quick reported a total 50, 214 with 14% of the vote.

It was an honor for Hosemann to accept the Republican nomination he said the night of the election.

“But we can’t stop now,” he Tweeted. “We have to push through to the finish line on Nov. 5. Lynn and I want to thank Shane Quick for running a clean and respectful campaign.”

Hughes’ said on Wednesday after the vote that he’s ready for the next challenge.

“Thank you for your trust and vote,” he said in a Tweet. “It has been an amazing 75,000 miles. Now, it’s time to kick it into high gear for the next 90 days to win Lt. Governor and make an even better Mississippi for everyone.”

Two Republicans vying for the Republican nomination for Mississippi’s next Attorney General will head to a runoff on Aug. 27.

Lynn Fitch, the state’s current Treasurer, will face Andy Taggart in the runoff. Though Fitch held a slight lead through the night, it was evident Mississippians held their faith in Taggart, too. Fitch garnered a 44.3% total on the night with 160,551 votes and Taggart captured 28.6% with 103,643.

The most fierce competition of night was between third-place candidate Mark Baker and Taggart to see who would make it to the runoff against Fitch. With 27.1% of the total vote (98,397), Baker was only 5,246 votes behind at the end of the night.

Taggart told the Clarion-Ledger he’s the most prepared candidate for the position.

“I’m the best one prepared by life experience and training to serve as Mississippi’s chief law enforcement officer and top lawyer, fighting against the scourge of drugs poisoning every community in the state,” he said.

The Democratic ticket for Mississippi’s next Secretary of State produced a clear winner Tuesday night while two Republican candidates duked it out until the very end.

Democratic nominee Johnny DuPree pulled 71.7% of the state’s vote with 191,416 while opponent Maryra Hodges Hunt garnered 28.3% with 75,455. In what could be called one of the state’s closest races of the night, Republican Michael Watson pulled away from opponent Sam Britton for just over half of the votes he needed to avoid a runoff. Watson solidified 53.6% of the total vote with 188,726 and Britton held 46.4% with 163,393. Just over 25,000 votes made the difference for Watson.

For Treasurer, Republican David McRae won the primary will face his Democratic opponent Addie Green in the Nov. 5 general election. McRae garnered 61.5% of the vote against fellow Republican Eugene Clarke’s 38.5%.

Lafayette County will also see the candidates for the Mississippi House of Representatives 10 seat on the ballot during the Aug. 27 runoff. Democrat Amanda Campbell pulled 48% of the state’s vote against Nolan Webb’s 28%. Republican Kelly Morris saw 43% of the state’s vote over Brady Williamson’s 30%. 

The race for Transportation Commissioner-Northern District had one Lafayette Candidate – Geoffrey Yoaste – vying for the Republican candidate in November’s election.

Yoste earned 26% (26,366) of the votes and will faceoff against John Caldwell, who earned 32.5% of the votes (31,953) in the runoff election. The winner will go up against Democratic candidate Joe Grist who did not have an opponent in Tuesday’s election.