2023 Mississippi elections

Last updated

2023 Mississippi elections
Flag of Mississippi.svg
  2019
2027 

The 2023 Mississippi elections took place on November 7, 2023, with the primary on August 8 and any required runoffs on August 29. [1] All executive offices in the state up for election, as well as all 52 seats of the Mississippi State Senate, all 122 seats in the Mississippi House of Representatives, and many local offices. The qualifying deadline for all 2023 Mississippi races was February 1, 2023. [2]

Contents

Special elections also took place during the year.

State House of Representatives

State senate

Governor

Lieutenant governor

One-term Republican incumbent Delbert Hosemann was elected in 2019 with 60% of the vote. He ran for re-election. [3]

Republican state senator Chris McDaniel also announced his candidacy, challenging Hosemann. [4]

Republicans Shane Quick (who ran against Hosemann in 2019) and Tiffany Longino also filed for the race, [3] as did Democrat D. Ryan Grover, a former candidate for the Oxford Board of Aldermen. [3]

Secretary of state

Mississippi Secretary of State election, 2023
Flag of Mississippi.svg
  2019 November 7, 2023 (2023-11-07)2027 
  Michael Watson.png 3x4.svg
Nominee Michael Watson Ty Pinkins
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote481,895328,067
Percentage59.5%40.5%

Mississippi Secretary of State 2023 Election Map.svg
2023 Mississippi secretary of state election by congressional district.svg
Watson:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
Pinkins:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

Secretary of State before election

Michael Watson
Republican

Elected Secretary of State

Michael Watson
Republican

After considering challenging Tate Reeves in the 2023 Mississippi gubernatorial election, [5] Michael Watson instead decided to run for re-election as Secretary of State. [6]

Former Mississippi Secretary of State Staffer and 2022 Democratic nominee for Mississippi's 3rd congressional district Shuwaski Young announced his bid to unseat Watson. [3]

Republican primary

Candidate

Results

Republican primary results [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Michael Watson (incumbent) 351,774 100.00%
Total votes351,774 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidate

Results

Democratic primary results [8]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Shuwaski Young 152,115 100.00%
Total votes152,115 100.00%

Democratic State Central Committee selection

In August 2023, Shuwaski Young withdrew his candidacy from the race for secretary of state, citing "a hypertensive crisis that was limiting his ability to campaign." On September 7, the Mississippi Democratic Party nominated Ty Pinkins, an attorney and military veteran, as the replacement nominee for the November ballot. [9]

General election

Polling

Hypothetical polling

Michael Watson vs. Shuwaski Young

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size [a]
Margin
of error
Michael
Watson (R)
Shuwaski
Young (D)
OtherUndecided
Mississippi Today/Siena College [10] August 20–28, 2023650 (LV)± 4.0%56%33%1% [b] 10%

Results

2023 Mississippi Secretary of State election [11]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Michael Watson (incumbent) 481,895 59.50% +0.67%
Democratic Ty Pinkins328,06740.50%–0.67%
Total votes809,962 100.00%
Republican hold

Attorney general

Mississippi Attorney General election, 2023
Flag of Mississippi.svg
  2019 November 7, 20232027 
  White House Meeting on Protecting Consumers from Social Media Abuse (50380288396) (cropped).jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Lynn Fitch Greta Kemp Martin
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote470,870339,948
Percentage58.1%41.9%

Mississippi Attorney General 2023 Election Map.svg
2023 Mississippi attorney general election by congressional district.svg
Fitch:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
Martin:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

Attorney General before election

Lynn Fitch
Republican

Elected Attorney General

Lynn Fitch
Republican

One-term Republican incumbent Lynn Fitch was elected in 2019 with 57.83% of the vote, becoming the state's first Republican attorney general since 1878. [3] She ran for re-election. [3]

Democratic attorney and Disability Rights Mississippi Litigation Director Greta Kemp Martin ran to challenge Fitch. [3]

Republican primary

Candidate

Results

Republican primary results [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Lynn Fitch (incumbent) 350,670 100.00%
Total votes350,670 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidate

  • Greta Kemp Martin, attorney and Disability Rights Mississippi Litigation Director [3]

Results

Democratic primary results [8]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Greta Kemp Martin 152,682 100.00%
Total votes152,682 100.00%

General election

Endorsements

Lynn Fitch (R)

Polling

Lynn Fitch vs. Greta Martin

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size [a]
Margin
of error
Lynn
Fitch (R)
Greta
Martin (D)
OtherUndecided
Mississippi Today/Siena College [10] August 20–28, 2023650 (LV)± 4.0%54%35%2% [c] 9%

Results

2023 Mississippi Attorney General election [11]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Lynn Fitch (incumbent) 470,870 58.07% +0.24%
Democratic Greta Kemp Martin339,94841.93%–0.24%
Total votes810,818 100.0%
Republican hold

State auditor

Mississippi State Auditor election, 2023
Flag of Mississippi.svg
  2019 November 7, 20232027 
  Shad White (cropped).jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Shad White Larry Bradford
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote474,313334,418
Percentage58.6%41.4%

Mississippi State Auditor 2023 Election Map.svg
2023 Mississippi attorney general election by congressional district.svg
White:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
Bradford:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

State Auditor before election

Shad White
Republican

Elected State Auditor

Shad White
Republican

Incumbent Republican Shad White was appointed as auditor in 2018, winning his first full term unopposed in 2019. White ran for re-election. [3]

The mayor of Anguilla, Democrat Larry Bradford, challenged White in the general election. [4]

Republican primary

Candidate

Results

Republican primary results [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Shad White (incumbent) 347,921 100.00%
Total votes347,921 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidate

Results

Democratic primary results [8]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Larry Bradford 153,039 100.00%
Total votes153,039 100.00%

General election

Results

2023 Mississippi State Auditor election [11]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Shad White (incumbent) 474,313 58.65% N/A
Democratic Larry Bradford334,41841.35%N/A
Total votes808,731 100.0%
Republican hold

State treasurer

Mississippi State Treasurer election, 2023
Flag of Mississippi.svg
  2019 November 7, 20232027 
  David McRae.png 3x4.svg
Nominee David McRae Addie Lee Green
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote472,705337,008
Percentage58.4%41.6%

Mississippi Treasurer 2023 Election Map.svg
2023 Mississippi attorney general election by congressional district.svg
McRae:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
Green:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

State Treasurer before election

David McRae
Republican

Elected State Treasurer

David McRae
Republican

One-term Republican incumbent David McRae was elected in 2019 with 60.8% of the vote. He ran for re-election, [3] and was unopposed in the Republican primary. [4] [3]

McRae faced a rematch in the general election, as former member of the Bolton Board of Aldermen Addie Lee Green was the only Democrat to announce a run. [4] Lee Green received 39.2% of the vote in 2019.

Republican primary

Candidate

Results

Republican primary results [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican David McRae (incumbent) 349,800 100.00%
Total votes349,800 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidate

  • Addie Lee Green, former member of the Bolton Board of Aldermen [4]

Results

Democratic primary results [8]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Addie Lee Green 153,149 100.00%
Total votes153,149 100.00%

General election

Results

2023 Mississippi State Treasurer election [11]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican David McRae (incumbent) 472,705 58.38% −2.42%
Democratic Addie Lee Green337,00841.62%+2.42%
Total votes809,713 100.0%
Republican hold

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce

Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce election, 2023
Flag of Mississippi.svg
  2019 November 7, 20232027 
  Andy Gipson.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Andy Gipson Robert Bradford
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote467,901342,172
Percentage57.8%42.2%

Mississippi Ag. Commissioner 2023 Election Map.svg
County results
Gipson:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
Bradford:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

Agriculture Commissioner before election

Andy Gipson
Republican

Elected Agriculture Commissioner

Andy Gipson
Republican

Two-term Republican incumbent Andy Gipson was re-elected in 2019 with 58.7% of the vote. Gipson ran for re-election, [17] and was the only Republican on the ballot. [4]

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Andy Gipson (incumbent) 351,194 100.00%
Total votes351,194 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Robert Bradford, director of Natchez-Adams County Homeland Security Program, Floodplain Management Program, Emergency 9-1-1 Coordinator, and Emergency Management Agency [4] [18]
  • Bethany Hill, executive director of the Mississippi Women's Cannabis Chamber of Commerce [4]
  • Terry Rogers II, college student [4]

Withdrawn or disqualified

  • Robert Briggs [4]

Results

Democratic primary results [8]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robert Bradford 97,717 51.75%
Democratic Bethany Hill49,03225.97%
Democratic Terry Rogers II42,07922.28%
Total votes188,828 100.00%

General election

Results

2023 Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner election [11]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Andy Gipson (incumbent) 467,901 57.76% –0.94%
Democratic Robert Bradford342,17242.24%+0.94%
Total votes810,073 100.0%
Republican hold

Commissioner of Insurance

Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance election, 2023
Flag of Mississippi.svg
  2019 November 7, 20232027 
  Mike Chaney 2022 (cropped).jpg Bruce Burton.jpg
Nominee Mike Chaney Bruce Burton
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote480,514329,214
Percentage59.3%40.7%

Mississippi Ins. Commissioner 2023 Election Map.svg
County results
Chaney:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
Burton:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

Insurance Commissioner before election

Mike Chaney
Republican

Elected Insurance Commissioner

Mike Chaney
Republican

Four-term Republican incumbent Mike Chaney was reelected in 2019 with 61.26% of the vote. Chaney, who also serves as the state's Fire Marshal, ran for re-election. [3] [4]

Republican Mitch Young, a former U.S. Navy Petty Officer and candidate for governor in 2015, announced a primary challenge against Chaney. [4]

Democratic attorney and 2022 Court of Appeals in District Four candidate Bruce Burton also ran. [3]

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Mike Chaney (incumbent) 201,552 80.3%
Republican Mitch Young49,48719.7%
Total votes251,039 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Bruce Burton, attorney and candidate for Appeals Court District 4 in 2022 [3]

Results

Democratic primary results [8]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Bruce Burton 182,701 100.00%
Total votes182,701 100.00%

General election

Results

2023 Mississippi Insurance Commissioner election [11]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Mike Chaney (incumbent) 480,514 59.34% –1.92%
Democratic Bruce Burton329,21440.66%+1.92%
Total votes809,728 100.0%
Republican hold

Public Service Commission

Northern District

Mississippi Public Service Commissioner, Northern District election, 2023
Flag of Mississippi.svg
  2019 November 7, 2023 (2023-11-07)2027 
  Chris Brown MS.jpg
Nominee Chris Brown
Party Republican
Popular vote215,257
Percentage100.0%

Northern District Commissioner before election

Brandon Presley
Democratic

Elected Northern District Commissioner

Chris Brown
Republican

Four-term Democratic Incumbent Brandon Presley was re-elected unopposed in 2019. Presley did not run for a fifth term, instead opting to run for governor. [19]

No Democrats filed to run to succeed Presley, [19] leaving the field open for two Republican challengers to run for the open seat:

Mandy Gunasekara, former Chief of Staff for the Environmental Protection Agency, was a challenger, [19] but she was removed from the ballot due to citizenship eligibility issues. [20]

Republican primary

Candidates
Results
Republican primary results [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Chris Brown 78,272 61.27%
Republican Tanner Newman49,47238.73%
Total votes127,744 100.00%

Results

Mississippi Public Service Commissioner Northern District election, 2023 [21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Chris Brown 215,257 100.0 +100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

Central District

Mississippi Public Service Commissioner, Central District election, 2023
Flag of Mississippi.svg
  2019 November 7, 2023 (2023-11-07)2027 
  De'Keither Stamps, 2016 (cropped).jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee De’Keither Stamps Brent Bailey
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote138,741132,853
Percentage51.1%48.9%

Mississippi Public Service Commission Central District 2023 Election Map.svg
County results
Stamps:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
Bailey:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Central District Commissioner before election

Brent Bailey
Republican

Elected Central District Commissioner

De'Keither Stamps
Democratic

One-term Republican incumbent Brent Bailey was elected in 2019 with 50.3% of the vote. He ran for re-election. [4]

Bailey's 2019 Democratic opponent, current state representative De’Keither Stamps, faced him again in a rematch. [4]

Democratic primary

Candidate
Results
Democratic primary results [8]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic De’Keither Stamps 52,152 100.00%
Total votes52,152 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidate
Results
Republican primary results [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Brent Bailey (incumbent) 85,778 100.00%
Total votes85,778 100.00%

Results

Mississippi Public Service Commissioner Central District election, 2023 [21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic De’Keither Stamps 138,741 51.1 +1.4
Republican Brent Bailey (incumbent)132,85348.9–1.4
Total votes271,594 100.00
Democratic gain from Republican

Southern District

Mississippi Public Service Commissioner, Southern District election, 2023
Flag of Mississippi.svg
  2019 November 7, 2023 (2023-11-07)2027 
  Nelson Wayne Carr.png
Nominee Nelson Wayne Carr
Party Republican
Popular vote216,698
Percentage100.0%

Southern District Commissioner before election

Dane Maxwell
Republican

Elected Southern District Commissioner

Nelson Wayne Carr
Republican

One-term Republican Incumbent Dane Maxwell was elected in 2019 with 62.6% of the vote. Maxwell was challenged in the primary by Nelson Wayne Carr and lost. [4]

Republican primary

Candidates
Results
Republican primary results [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Nelson Wayne Carr 76,162 52.89%
Republican Dane Maxwell (incumbent)67,84947.11%
Total votes144,011 100.00%

Results

Mississippi Public Service Commissioner Southern District election, 2023 [21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Nelson Wayne Carr 216,698 100.0 +37.4
Total votes216,698 100.0
Republican hold

Transportation Commission

Northern District

Mississippi Transportation Commissioner, Northern District election, 2023
Flag of Mississippi.svg
  2019 November 7, 2023 (2023-11-07)2027 
  John Caldwell Mississippi.jpg
Nominee John Caldwell
Party Republican
Popular vote214,325
Percentage100.0%

Northern District Commissioner before election

John Caldwell
Republican

Elected Northern District Commissioner

John Caldwell
Republican

One-term Republican Incumbent John Caldwell was elected in 2019 with 63.2% of the vote. He ran for re-election unopposed. [22]

Republican primary

Candidate
Results
Republican primary results [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican John Caldwell (incumbent) 120,678 100.00%
Total votes120,678 100.00%

Results

Mississippi Transportation Commissioner Northern District election, 2023 [21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican John Caldwell (incumbent) 214,325 100.0 +36.8
Total votes214,325 100.0
Republican hold

Central District

Mississippi Transportation Commissioner, Central District election, 2023
Flag of Mississippi.svg
  2019 November 7, 2023 (2023-11-07)2027 
  Willie Lee Simmons.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Willie Simmons Ricky Pennington Jr.
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote150,296121,866
Percentage55.2%44.8%

Mississippi Transportation Commission Central District 2023 Election Map.svg
County results
Simmons:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
Pennington:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Central District Commissioner before election

Willie Simmons
Democratic

Elected Central District Commissioner

Willie Simmons
Democratic

One-term Democratic incumbent Willie Simmons was elected in 2019 with 51.1% of the vote. He ran for re-election. [23]

Ricky Pennington Jr., a Republican, also ran for the seat. [23]

Democratic primary

Candidate
Results
Democratic primary results [8]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Willie Simmons (incumbent) 54,638 100.00%
Total votes54,638 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidate
  • Ricky Pennington Jr., candidate for this district in 2019 [23]
Results
Republican primary results [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Ricky Pennington Jr. 85,180 100.00%
Total votes85,180 100.00%

Results

Mississippi Transportation Commissioner Central District election, 2023 [21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Willie Simmons (incumbent) 150,296 55.2 +4.1
Republican Ricky Pennington Jr.121,86644.8−4.1
Total votes272,162 100.0
Democratic hold

Southern District

Mississippi Transportation Commissioner, Southern District election, 2023
Flag of Mississippi.svg
  2019 November 7, 2023 (2023-11-07)2027 
  Charles Busby.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Charles Busby Steven Brian Griffin
Party Republican Independent
Popular vote177,27769,685
Percentage71.8%28.2%

Mississippi Transportation Commission Southern District 2023 Election Map.svg
County results
Bubsy:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
Griffin:     50–60%

Southern District Commissioner before election

Tom King
Republican

Elected Southern District Commissioner

Charles Busby
Republican

Three-term Republican incumbent Tom King won re-election unopposed in 2019. On November 16, 2022, King announced he would not seek re-election. [24]

Republican state representative for the 111th District Charles Busby [23] ran against Independent Steven Brian Griffin. [23]

Republican primary

Candidate
Results
Republican primary results [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Charles Busby 140,425 100.00%
Total votes140,425 100.00%

Results

Mississippi Transportation Commissioner Southern District election, 2023 [21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Charles Busby 177,277 71.8 −28.2
Independent Steven Brian Griffin69,68528.2+28.2
Total votes246,962 100.0
Republican hold

Notes

  1. 1 2 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. "Not going to vote" with 1%
  3. "Not going to vote" with 2%

References

  1. "Mississippi elections, 2023". Ballotpedia . Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  2. Watson, Michael. "Press Releases & Columns". Mississippi Secretary of State . Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 "The field is set for 2023 Elections in Mississippi. See who is running in statewide races". Yahoo! News . The Clarion-Ledger . Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Harrison, Bobby (February 2, 2023). "Who's running for Mississippi statewide offices in 2023". Mississippi Today . Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  5. Vance, Taylor (December 17, 2022). "Secretary of State Michael Watson mulls move to oust Gov. Tate Reeves". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal . Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  6. 1 2 Perlis, Wicker (January 19, 2023). "Secretary of State Michael Watson announces 2023 run for reelection". Clarion Ledger . Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "2023 Republican primary results". Mississippi Secretary of State . Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "2023 Democratic primary results". Mississippi Secretary of State . Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  9. Pettus, Emily Wagster (September 7, 2023). "Mississippi Democrats name Pinkins as new nominee for secretary of state, to challenge GOP's Watson". Associated Press . Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Mississippi Today/Siena College
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Watson, Michael (December 5, 2023). "Official Tabulation of November 7, 2023, General Election Votes Cast for State Offices" (PDF). Secretary of State of Mississippi . Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  12. Trifone, Emily (June 20, 2023). "DAGA Endorses Greta Kemp Martin for Mississippi Attorney General". Democratic Attorneys General Association. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  13. "Planned Parenthood Southeast Advocates endorses Greta Kemp Martin". DeSoto County News. August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  14. "Reproductive Freedom for All Endorses in Kentucky and Mississippi Attorney General Races". Reproductive Freedom for All. October 11, 2023. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  15. "Vote Mama PAC | Candidates". Vote Mama PAC. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  16. Owens, Mary (June 1, 2023). "SBA Pro-Life America's Candidate Fund Endorses Pro-Life Hero AG Lynn Fitch for Re-election". SBA Pro-Life America. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  17. "Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson announces re-election bid for 2023". Supertalk Mississippi . July 28, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  18. "Committee to Elect Robert "Brad" Bradford". bradforagcomm24.com. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bedillion, Caleb (February 1, 2023). "Democrats a no-show to hold Brandon Presley's Public Service Commission seat". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal . Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  20. Vance, Taylor (May 11, 2023). "Supreme Court removes Mandy Gunasekara from Public Service Commission race". Mississippi Today . Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "2023 General Election Results". Mississippi Secretary of State . Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  22. 1 2 Vance, Taylor (January 8, 2023). "Candidate tracker 2023: Who has qualified for Mississippi statewide, regional elections". Yahoo! News . Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal . Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ball, Biancca (February 3, 2023). "Who is running for Mississippi's statewide offices in 2023?". WJTV . Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  24. "King won't seek 4th term on Mississippi transport commission". Associated Press . November 17, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2023.