Mississippi’s primary election season, as usual, never disappoints. Incumbent Governor Tate Reeves (R-Flowood) coasted to victory over his two relatively unknown opponents, garnering roughly 75% of the vote. Meanwhile, Democratic nominee for Governor and former Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley D-Nettleton) had no primary opponents. The major race to watch was the Lieutenant Governor race where Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann (R-Jackson) defeated long-term State Senator Chris McDaniel (R-Ellisville). Hosemann defeated McDaniel by a little over 30,000 votes or approximately 9%. Lt. Gov. Hosemann will now face political newcomer Ryan Grover (D-Hattiesburg) in the general election in November.

The rest of the Big Eight races provided very few surprises. Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney (R-Vicksburg) defeated his primary opponent gathering 80% of the vote. Comm. Chaney will face attorney Bruce Burton (D-Jackson) in the general election. Attorney General Lynn Fitch (R-Ridgeland) had no primary challenger and will go head-to-head against Greta Kemp Martin (D-Jackson) in November. Shuwaski Young (D-Philadelphia) and Secretary of State Michael Watson (R-Moss Point) will face off in November after neither had primary opponents. Long-time unsuccessful statewide candidate Addie Green (D-Bolton) will attempt to unseat Treasurer David McRae (R-Ridgeland). State Auditor Shad White (R-Flowood) will go head-to-head with Larry Bradford (D-Anguilla) in the general election. To round out the Big Eight races, incumbent Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson (R-Braxton) had no primary opponent and will face Robert Bradford (D-Natchez) who bested his two opponents in the Democratic primary.

The rest of the Big Eight races provided very little surprises. Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney (R-Vicksburg) defeated his primary opponent gathering 80% of the vote. Comm. Chaney will face attorney Bruce Burton (D-Jackson) in the general election. Attorney General Lynn Fitch (R-Ridgeland) had no primary challenger and will go head-to-head against Greta Kemp Martin (D-Jackson) in November. Shuwaski Young (D-Philadelphia) and Secretary of State Michael Watson (R-Moss Point) will face off in November after neither had primary opponents. Long time unsuccessful statewide candidate Addie Green (D-Bolton) will attempt to unseat Treasurer David McRae (R-Ridgeland). State Auditor Shad White (R-Flowood) will go head to head with Larry Bradford (D-Anguilla) in the general election. To round out the Big Eight races, incumbent Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson (R-Braxton) had no primary opponent and will face Robert Bradford (D-Natchez) who bested his two opponents in the Democratic primary.

The Transportation Commissioners races were very uneventful as the Northern and Southern district races had only one candidate running in each primary. Incumbent Northern District Transportation Commissioner John Caldwell (R-Nesbit) had no primary challenger and no general election challenger after winning that seat in a crowded race last election cycle. Three term state Representative and Transportation Committee Chairman Charles Busby (R-Pascagoula) won his primary outright with no challenger. Rep. Busby will go on to challenge Steven Griffin (I-Laurel) in the general election. The Central Transportation Commissioner seat will be between incumbent Central District Commissioner Willie Simmons (D-Cleveland) and Republican challenger Ricky Pennington (R-Vicksburg).

The future makeup of the Mississippi House and Senate is already starting to take shape. Multiple races across the House and the Senate have already been decided as races either had no primary opponents, no general opponents, or both. Thirty-one incumbent Senators out of the fifty-two in the chamber have already locked in their seats. Fifteen incumbent Senators still have general election opponents, but almost all of those are predicted to return barring any major upsets. New incoming Senators include Bradford Blackmon (D-Canton) who will take over the seat previously held by his mother, Sen. Barbara Blackmon (D-Canton), for the previous four terms. Another family seat takeover includes Reginald Jackson (D-Marks) taking over his father’s seat, Sen. Robert Jackson (D-Marks). Former state House Representative Robin Robinson (R-Laurel) will take over the seat previously held by Sen. Chris McDaniel as he ran for Lieutenant Governor. One major primary upset to note was incumbent Sen. Philip Moran (R-Kiln) lost his primary race to Philman Ladner (R-Pass Christian). Another fresh face in the Senate will include Andy Berry (R-Magee) as he takes over the seat formerly held by Sen. Chris Caughman (R-Mendenhall) who opted to not run again and to focus on his role in the private sector.

The Mississippi House of Representatives will feature many of the same delegates from the previous term. However, the Mississippi House of Representatives is due for new leadership. House Speaker Phillip Gunn (R-Clinton) opted to not run for another term. House Speaker Pro Tempore Jason White (R-West) is widely seen as the heir apparent for leading the House this next term. Representative White coasted to victory in his primary and has no general election opponent. Sixty-nine incumbent Representatives have already locked in their seats as they either had no primary opponents, no general election opponents, or ran unchallenged altogether. Some incumbents have a chance to clinch their seats after a runoff.

Incumbent Representative Nick Bain (R-Corinth) will have a chance to seal his seat in a runoff after getting only 48% on primary day. Other incumbent Representatives will look to beat their general election opponents to return to Jackson for another term. Some incumbent Representatives did not fare as well as their colleagues. Incumbent Representative Rufus Straughter (D-Belzoni) lost his primary to Timaka James-Jones (D-Belzoni) after serving in the House for seven terms. Incumbent Representative Doug McLeod (R-Lucedale) lost his seat to Steve Lott (R-Lucedale) after having served three terms. Other new faces in the House will include Lawrence Blackmon (D-Canton) as he takes over the seat previously held by his father, Rep. Ed Blackmon (D-Canton), for an impressive 40 years.