Dem
51
GOP
49
Yesterday, voters in Mississippi headed to the polls to choose candidates for this year's statewide elections. But whereas the Ohio election was highly consequential, the Mississippi election was almost completely irrelevant. Nonetheless, we're a politics-driven site, so we'll run down the results.
In the gubernatorial primaries, Gov. Tate Reeves (R) easily dispatched his two competitors, claiming 74.5% of the vote. He will now face off against Brandon Presley (D), who was unopposed. He is a member of the Mississippi Public Service Commission, and his two claims to fame are: (1) he's a cousin of Elvis, and (2) he once lost 216 pounds on a diet. This makes him an excellent candidate to serve as a tour guide at Graceland, or to serve as a spokesperson for NutriSystem. It does not make him a viable candidate for governor in red, red Mississippi. Reeves is going to keep his job without breaking a sweat.
To the extent there was drama yesterday, it was in the Republican primary for lieutenant governor. Incumbent Delbert Hosemann (R) is perceived by many Mississippi conservatives as being too liberal, and so he was challenged from the right by Chris McDaniel (R). It was a very nasty campaign, including some criticism about the thing Hosemann is most famous for: While serving as Mississippi Secretary of State, he discovered that the state had never formally approved the Thirteenth Amendment, and took steps to rectify the problem. One would think that opposition to slavery would be a selling point. But not so much, as it turns out. Ultimately, Hosemann overcame his "abolitionist" reputation, and eked out a majority victory, taking 51.9% of the vote to 42.8% for McDaniel. Had Hosemann gotten 2% less of the vote, he would have faced a runoff. But he dodged a bullet, unlike that other politician famous for ending slavery. (Too soon?)
Hosemann will face off against D. Ryan Grover (D), who is not related to any famous rock and roll singers, and who has never even lost so much as 20 pounds. Thanks to that first initial, Grover felt the need to explain on his website that there will be a "D" on either side of his name on the ballot in November. That such an explainer was necessary also does not present a flattering view of Mississippi voters. In any case, Grover is going to get all shook up in November, just like his running mate Presley.
And there you have it. An election whose only slightly meaningful result is that there isn't going to be a runoff for the lieutenant governorship on the Republican side. It's adrenaline-rushing stuff. (Z)