For political junkies in Mississippi, the next few years could be a wild ride.
Governor Tate Reeves and Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann were the first two statewide office holders to qualify for re-election.
That was a smart political move to put their stake in the ground amidst rumors they may be challenged from within their own party. Since then, Brandon Presley has announced his intentions to run for governor as a Democrat. The race could create some intrigue. It also remains to be seen if inter-party challengers will emerge.
But if you were a gambling man or woman, you would put the odds on both Reeves and Hosemann being re-elected. What is arguably more interesting is how down ticket politicians are positioned for future races.
Republicans hold all eight statewide offices. That makes for a full bench. That’s to say nothing of members of district offices or legislators who have higher aspirations.
Since becoming a competitive, and now dominant force, over the past two decades in Mississippi politics, Republicans have generally followed a proverbial ladder. Phil Bryant moved from auditor to lieutenant governor to governor. And Reeves previously served as lieutenant governor, and treasurer before that.
But a lot has changed. When Bryant was auditor in the early 2000s, he was the only Republican statewide office holder. Today, if you simply sit and wait, your opportunity may never come.
That is certainly a thought for the current crop of younger politicos, including Auditor Shad White, Secretary of State Michael Watson, Treasurer David McRae, and Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson.
Then there is Attorney General Lynn Fitch, who is in a position to tout her office’s role in overturning Roe v. Wade to a conservative electorate. She has been rumored for multiple other offices or posts, including a potential cabinet position were a Republican to win the White House in 2024.
Speaker Philip Gunn’s name usually floats around, as well. He certainly appears to have further ambition and was rumored to be eyeing a challenge to Reeves before he announced he wasn’t running for re-election. He has shown himself to be a leader that operates on conviction. What remains to be seen is if he can sit out of politics for four years and still have enough political juice to jump back in the fray.
There are a number of state legislators who similarly have shown interest in running for higher office, but they all have to balance the risk of losing an otherwise safe seat and being out of office altogether.
And what about Hosemann? In a normal scenario, he would be in prime position to be elected governor in 2027. After all, that’s been the pattern of the past two governors. But if he is re-elected, he will be 79 when he ends his second term as lieutenant governor.
Assuming Gov. Reeves and Lt. Gov. Hosemann prevail in their elections, they will be term limited in their current roles come 2027. Incredible jockeying will occur starting in 2024, with lots of competitors positioning themselves to compete for just two seats.
Also adding to potential drama is the fact that between now and 2027, both U.S. Senate seats in Mississippi will be up for re-election. Senator Roger Wicker will be up for re-election in 2024 with Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith in 2026. There’s no reason to think that either won’t run again, but it’s possible. It’s also possible someone might be willing to swing big against one of them.
It should be noted that the Democrats’ bench is decidedly weaker; more Bad News Bears than political machine. Jim Hood and Brandon Presley were the last big cards in the deck. Hood came up short. We will see how Presley does. But assuming he loses, there are not a lot of readily apparent options that could compete for a statewide seat.
For political junkies, the next few years could be a wild ride.
Brett Kittredge
