Tate Reeves

Last updated

Elee Williams
​
(m. 2001)​
[1]
Tate Reeves
Gov. Tate Reeves Signs House Bill 1486 (cropped).jpg
Reeves in 2022
65th Governor of Mississippi
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 14, 2020
Children3
Residence Governor's Mansion
Education Millsaps College (BA)
Website Government website
Tate Reeves's voice
Tate Reeves on the response to the 2023 Rolling Fork–Silver City tornado.
Recorded March 31, 2023

Jonathan Tate Reeves (born June 5, 1974) is an American politician serving since 2020 as the 65th governor of Mississippi. A member of the Republican Party, Reeves served as the 32nd lieutenant governor of Mississippi from 2012 to 2020 and as the 53rd Mississippi State Treasurer from 2004 to 2012.

Contents

Born in Florence, Mississippi, Reeves graduated from Florence High School in 1992 and Millsaps College in 1996. After receiving his degree in economics, he became a Chartered Financial Analyst. He began work at Park South Corporation, leaving in 2000 to become a financial portfolio manager at Trustmark.

Reeves entered the race for Mississippi state treasurer after Democratic incumbent Marshall G. Bennett announced he would not run. In the Republican primary runoff, he defeated former Central District Transportation Commissioner Wayne Burkes. In the general election, he defeated Democratic nominee Gary Anderson. He won reelection in 2007 and went on to become lieutenant governor in 2012, holding the position until his inauguration as governor.

Reeves was chosen as his party's nominee in the 2019 Mississippi gubernatorial election, defeating former state Supreme Court Justice Bill Waller Jr. and State Representative Robert Foster. In the general election, he narrowly defeated Attorney General Jim Hood. During his tenure, Reeves has changed the state flag, removed COVID-19 restrictions earlier than many of his fellow state governors, opposed vaccine requirements, and legalized medical cannabis. He was narrowly reelected in 2023, defeating Brandon Presley.

Early life and education

Tate Reeves was born on June 5, 1974. [2] A native of Rankin County, Mississippi, [3] Reeves is the eldest son of Terry Reeves and Dianne Peeples. [4] Reeves's father founded a heating and air conditioning company in 1975 that became a multi-million-dollar business. [4] Reeves graduated from Florence High School in Florence. [5] He then graduated from Millsaps College in Jackson [6] with a degree in economics. [7] He played college basketball for two years before injuring his shoulder. [7]

At Millsaps College, Reeves was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order, a controversial fraternity that has faced accusations of racism. [8] In 2019, yearbook photos surfaced showing members in blackface and Confederate uniforms, but it is unclear whether Reeves was involved. [9] [6]

Early career

After graduating from college in 1996, Reeves became a Chartered Financial Analyst. [4] He worked at Park South Corporation, a subsidiary of the Deposit Guaranty National Bank, [4] which eventually merged into AmSouth. [7] In 2000, Reeves moved to Trustmark National Bank, where he was a financial portfolio manager until 2003, when he resigned to run for state treasurer. [7]

Mississippi state treasurer (2004–2012)

Reeves sought the post of Mississippi state treasurer in the 2003 election; it was an open seat, as Democratic incumbent Marshall G. Bennett was retiring. [10] In the 2003 Republican primary election, Reeves faced former Central District Transportation Commissioner Wayne Burkes of Brandon and State Representative Andrew Ketchings of Natchez. [11] In the Republican primary election, Reeves led with 49% of the vote, with Burkes in second place. [12] Because no candidate achieved a majority, Reeves and Burkes had a runoff election; Reeves defeated Burkes in the runoff, which had low turnout. [13]

In the general election, Reeves defeated Democratic nominee Gary Anderson, the state director of finance and administration, 52% to 46%. [14] Anderson has substantially more experience than Reeves, but Reeves's campaign raised and spent substantially more money. [10] Observers also cited racial prejudice (Anderson is African American) as another factor that may have contributed to Anderson's loss. [14] [10] Reeves's father contributed $115,000 to his campaign, about one-fifth of its fundraising total. [4]

Reeves's election made him the first Republican to hold the position of Mississippi state treasurer, [15] as well as the youngest statewide elected official in the modern history of the state. [4]

In 2007, Reeves won reelection with about 60% of the vote, defeating Democratic candidate Shawn O'Hara. [15]

Lieutenant governor of Mississippi (2012–2020)

In February 2011, Reeves entered the race for lieutenant governor. In the August Republican primary, he defeated Mississippi State Senate president pro tempore Billy Hewes of Gulfport, [16] 123,389 votes to 162,857. [17] In the November general election, he was elected lieutenant governor, succeeding Phil Bryant, who was elected to his first term as governor. Reeves ran without Democratic opposition; he received 80.35% of the vote; Reform Party candidate Tracella Lou O'Hara Hill received 19.65%. [18]

As lieutenant governor, Reeves was president of the state Senate, and he used his position to prevent Medicaid expansion from receiving a floor vote, [19] and to block an increase in the gas tax to fund repairs to roads and to Mississippi's many structurally deficient bridges. [20]

Reeves visiting the 172nd Airlift Wing in 2015 Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves visits the 172nd Airlift Wing.jpg
Reeves visiting the 172nd Airlift Wing in 2015

Reeves won reelection as lieutenant governor on November 3, 2015, defeating three opponents, including state Senator Timothy L. Johnson, a Republican-turned-Democrat. [21]

Governor of Mississippi (2020–present)

Elections

2019 election

Reeves ran for governor of Mississippi in the 2019 election. [22] He was the favorite to win the nomination. [23] [24] He enjoyed substantial name recognition from his 16 years in statewide office, and had a significant fundraising advantage over his rivals for the Republican nomination, former state Supreme Court Justice Bill Waller Jr. and Robert Foster, a first-term member of the state House. [24]

During the primary race, three former state Republican party chairs endorsed Waller (who was viewed as more pragmatist), while outgoing governor Phil Bryant, former governor Haley Barbour, and Chris McDaniel endorsed Reeves (who was viewed as more conservative). [25] Reeves strongly opposed Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, [24] [23] which he disparaged as the "Obamacare expansion." [26] This position contrasted with that of Waller and Foster, who supported a version of Medicaid expansion to benefit Mississippi's rural hospitals, [24] almost half of which were close to bankruptcy before the COVID-19 pandemic. [26] Reeves also opposed increasing the gas tax to fund road and bridge repairs, while Waller supported it. [23] [24] Reeves said that "radical liberals" were attacking "Mississippi's culture and Mississippi's values." [27]

In the Republican primary, Reeves and Waller finished in first and second place, respectively. Because no candidate won a majority of the total vote, Reeves and Waller proceeded to a runoff election. [24] Reeves won the nomination in the runoff. [28]

Reeves at a 2019 Trump rally in Tupelo Tate Reeves in Tupelo.jpg
Reeves at a 2019 Trump rally in Tupelo

During his 2019 campaign for governor, Reeves touted the support of Donald Trump, [27] who carried the state in 2016 and 2020. [29] Reeves promised, "If I'm elected governor, I will work for President Trump." [26] Trump, his vice president Mike Pence, and his son Donald Trump Jr. all campaigned for Reeves in Mississippi in 2019. [29] At a rally in Tupelo days before the 2019 election, the elder Trump promoted Reeves's candidacy while assailing the impeachment inquiry against him over the Trump–Ukraine scandal. [30] [31]

Reeves defeated the Democratic nominee, state Attorney General Jim Hood, in the November general election. [32] [33] Republicans won all eight statewide offices in 2019, a first in Mississippi history. [33] The election was Mississippi's first competitive election for governor since 2003. [33] Reeves received 459,396 votes to Hood's 414,368. [34] He took office on January 14, 2020. [35]

2023 election

On November 7, 2023, Reeves defeated the Democratic nominee, Brandon Presley, in the 2023 Mississippi gubernatorial election, winning reelection to a second term. [36] [37] Presley conceded to Reeves after unofficial results showed him losing. [38]

Confederate iconography

In June 2020, amid the George Floyd protests, debate arose about whether to change the flag of Mississippi, which featured Confederate insignia. Reeves initially said that the flag should be changed only by voter-approved referendum, [39] [40] but later reversed himself, saying that if the Mississippi legislature passed a bill to retire the flag without a referendum, he would sign it. [40] On June 28, 2020, the legislature voted to change the flag, 91 to 23 in the House and 37 to 14 in the Senate. [41] Reeves signed the legislation two days later, removing the last state flag to display a Confederate symbol. [42]

COVID-19

Amid the acceleration of the COVID-19 pandemic, Reeves was accused[ by whom? ] of undermining efforts to contain the spread of the virus. In early 2020, he closed schools, declared a state of emergency, and told people to trust in the "power of prayer", but did little to combat COVID-19 transmission. [26] In March 2020, Reeves issued an order deeming most public places to be "essential services." [43] [44] His order prompted substantial criticism, largely because it clashed with previously issued local orders and caused confusion as to whether the order overrode local leaders' decisions to order the closures of businesses and other public places. [43] [44] [26] [45] Leaders of many of Mississippi's largest cities and counties criticized Reeves's order. [44] The mayor of Tupelo said that Reeves had engaged in an "abdication of leadership." [44] Days later, Reeves issued an amended order, clarifying that his previous order was not intended to interfere with local governments' decisions. [43]

Reeves implemented a "stay-at-home" order in April 2020, but allowed some retail businesses to reopen shortly thereafter. [46] In early May 2020, Mississippi had its largest spike of coronavirus deaths and cases up to that point. [46] It had another sharp uptick in COVID-19 cases and deaths in November 2020. [47] In December 2020, although Reeves urged the public to avoid large gatherings to prevent the further spread of the virus, his office invited legislators and other officials to at least three holiday parties at the Governor's Mansion. [48] [49]

Except for August 4 through September 30, 2020, Reeves did not issue a statewide mask mandate in the state, setting only county-by-county mandates in locations with rapid increases in infections. [47] Of the state's 82 counties, 16 were under a mask mandate in November 2020, when the mandates expired. [47] Effective April 30, 2021, Reeves ended COVID-19 restrictions (with the exception of the school mask mandate) through May 31, 2021. For the 2021–2022 school year, he did not reinstate the mask mandate. [50] [51] [52] At a political rally in July 2021, he called the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations on indoor face coverings "foolish" and "harmful". [53]

When a COVID-19 vaccine was made widely available, Reeves opposed vaccine requirements. [54] [55] Mississippi had one of the lowest vaccination rates among U.S. states, [53] [56] a fact Reeves downplayed. [56] After President Joe Biden used his authority under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act to require federal workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to require all employers with more than 100 workers to require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive weekly testing, Reeves called the mandate "tyranny" and an "attack on hardworking Americans." [57] [58] Biden responded by calling Reeves's remark "the worst kind of politics", referencing the 660,000 COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. up to that point and noting that "in Mississippi, children are required to be vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis B, polio, tetanus and more." [59] [60] Reeves joined a Republican-led lawsuit against Biden's plan. [61]

In August 2021, Reeves argued that Mississippi Christians were "less scared" because "when you believe in eternal life —when you believe that living on this earth is but a blip on the screen, then you don't have to be so scared of things." [62] [63] That month, Mississippi had the nation's highest rate of COVID-19 cases and deaths per capita. [62]

During COVID-19, Mississippi suffered a shortage of hospital workers (in particular nurses). Reeves declined to call a special session of the legislature to allocate the state's $1.8 billion share of federal COVID-19 relief funds to address the crisis. [64]

Criminal justice and prisons

In 2020, Reeves vetoed two criminal justice bills that would have expanded parole eligibility for Mississippi prisoners; one would have allowed nonviolent offenders to be considered for parole after serving 25% of their sentence, while the other would allow those convicted of violent crimes to be eligible for parole consideration after completing 50% of their sentence or 20 years, whichever comes first. [65] In 2021, Reeves signed into law a narrower bill that expanded parole eligibility. [66] He rejected calls to grant a pardon or commutation to Tameka Drummer, a Mississippi inmate serving a life without parole sentence for the possession of less than two ounces of marijuana; Drummer was sentenced in 2008 under the state's habitual-offender law. [67] [68]

As governor, Reeves faced significant problems with the state's prison system, especially Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman—including widespread, deadly violence and unsanitary, dangerous conditions. [69] After nine prisoners died in one month at Parchman, Reeves acknowledged that Parchman's conditions were "terrible"; he ordered the closure of part of the complex, as well as other reforms. [69] [70] [71] Several hundred inmates were moved from Parchman's infamous "Unit 29" to the privately operated Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility. [72] [73]

Medical cannabis

In 2020, Mississippi voters approved (by 70%) a medical marijuana initiative; the state supreme court subsequently invalidated the initiative, holding that it was improperly placed on the ballot. [74] [75] [76] Reeves opposed the initiative, but said he would honor "the will of the voters" who had overwhelmingly voted in favor of medical marijuana. [75] On February 2, 2022, he signed the bill into law, making Mississippi the 37th state to legalize medical cannabis. [77]

Taxation and budget

As governor, Reeves pushed legislation to eliminate the state's personal income tax. [78] [79] [80] The rating agency Fitch raised concerns in November 2021 that his taxation plans were fiscally unfeasible. [81]

Welfare funds scandal

Reeves drew controversy for firing the attorney leading the state's welfare agency lawsuit. [82] His friend Paul Lacoste, a former football player who had become a well-known fitness trainer in Mississippi, was found to have secured a $1.4 million contract for a boot camp fitness program through state welfare funds. [82] NFL legend Brett Favre also lobbied Reeves for the construction of a volleyball stadium at the university his daughter attended, which was funded by state welfare money. [82]

Political positions

Contraception

In May 2022, Reeves repeatedly refused to deny that he would ban birth control in Mississippi when questioned by anchor Jake Tapper. [83] In particular, he refused to rule out banning IUDs, a form of birth control used by 1 in 7 women.[ citation needed ]

Early voting

In November 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Reeves said he would veto any bill that expanded mail-in voting or no-excuse early voting. [84] Mississippi has some of the most restrictive laws in the U.S. for pre-Election Day voting. [84]

Education

Reeves used his 2020 budget proposal to appeal to the conservative base. Echoing Trump, he proposed allocating $3 million to a "Patriotic Education Fund" and said that "across the country, young children have suffered from indoctrination in far-left socialist teachings". [85] Reeves's budget proposal recommended bonuses for schoolteachers in high-performing or improving schools, but largely ignored his 2019 campaign pledge to boost teacher pay in each year of his term. [85] He proposed teacher raises in the 2022 budget. [86]

Race

In April 2021, Reeves said, "There is not systemic racism in America." [87] Earlier that month, he had declared April "Confederate Heritage Month" in Mississippi. [87] In March 2022, Reeves declared April "Confederate Heritage Month". He has done this every year of his term. [88]

2020 presidential election

After Joe Biden defeated Trump in the 2020 election, and Trump refused to concede, Reeves supported Trump-backed lawsuits to throw out the election results in several states Biden won, where Trump and his allies made false claims of fraud. [89] In March 2021, Reeves acknowledged that Biden is the president of the United States and was "duly elected" but repeatedly refused to acknowledge that Biden was "legitimately and lawfully elected" or that the 2020 election was free and fair. [90]

Personal life

Reeves is married to Elee Reeves (née Williams); they have three daughters. [91] [47] Reeves and his family attend Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church. [91]

Electoral history

2003 Mississippi Treasurer Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tate Reeves 80,770 48.48
Republican Wayne Burkes 51,745 31.06
Republican Andrew Ketchings33,79520.28
Republican Write-ins3110.19
Total votes166,621 100.00
2003 Mississippi Treasurer Republican primary runoff
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tate Reeves 49,466 72.16
Republican Wayne Burkes 19,04727.78
Republican Write-ins390.06
Total votes68,552 100.00
2003 Mississippi Treasurer election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tate Reeves 447,860 51.80
Democratic Gary Anderson403,30746.64
Reform Lee Dilworth13,5071.56
Total votes864,674 100.00
Republican gain from Democratic
2007 Mississippi Treasurer election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tate Reeves (incumbent) 436,833 60.53
Democratic Shawn O'Hara284,78939.47
Total votes721,622 100.00
Republican hold
2011 Mississippi lieutenant gubernatorial Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tate Reeves 162,857 56.89
Republican Billy Hewes 123,38943.11
Total votes286,246 100.00
2011 Mississippi lieutenant gubernatorial election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tate Reeves 644,205 80.35
Reform Tracella Lou O'Hara157,54719.65
Total votes801,752 100.00
Republican hold
2015 Mississippi lieutenant gubernatorial Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tate Reeves (incumbent) 225,192 82.50
Republican Alisha Nelson McElhenney47,76017.50
Total votes272,952 100.00
2015 Mississippi lieutenant gubernatorial election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tate Reeves (incumbent) 429,990 60.45
Democratic Timothy L. Johnson 255,65735.94
Libertarian Ron Williams16,2262.28
Reform Rosa Williams9,4101.32
Total votes711,283 100.00
Republican hold
2019 Mississippi gubernatorial Republican primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tate Reeves 182,979 48.91
Republican Bill Waller Jr. 124,707 33.33
Republican Robert Foster 66,44117.76
Total votes374,127 100.00
2019 Mississippi gubernatorial Republican primary runoff
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tate Reeves 176,251 54.28
Republican Bill Waller Jr. 148,47145.72
Total votes324,722 100.00
2019 Mississippi gubernatorial election [92]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tate Reeves 459,396 51.91
Democratic Jim Hood 414,36846.83
Independent David Singletary8,5220.96
Constitution Bob Hickingbottom2,6250.30
Total votes884,911 100.00
Republican hold
2023 Mississippi gubernatorial election [93] [94] [95]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tate Reeves (incumbent) 418,233 50.94
Democratic Brandon Presley 391,61447.70
Independent Gwendolyn Gray11,1531.36
Total votes821,000 100.00
Republican hold

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References

  1. ↑ @tatereeves (November 24, 2019). "Eighteen years ago, we had no idea we would begin today on a soccer field after 12 times on the ballot, 5 elections…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ↑ "Tate Reeves - Biography from LegiStorm".
  3. ↑ Adam Ganucheau, Rankin County 'kingmaker': Hometown boy Tate Reeves not a sure thing in runoff with Bill Waller, Mississippi Today (July 29, 2019).
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Adam Ganucheau, 'I'm very proud today': The man behind Tate Reeves' rise to power, Mississippi Today (April 9, 2019).
  5. ↑ Emily Wagster Pettus, Mississippi gov is pranked in shout-out to high school grads, Associated Press (May 20, 2020).
  6. 1 2 Bologna, Giacomo (February 8, 2019). "Tate Reeves thrust into national controversy over racist frat photos". The Clarion-Ledger.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Gary Perilloux, Reeves takes an early shot at political office, Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (October 25, 2003).
  8. ↑ Pittman, Ashton (February 8, 2019). "Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves' Fraternity Wore Black Face, Hurled the N-Word at Black Students". Jackson Free Press. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  9. ↑ Terkel, Amanda (February 8, 2019). "Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Was Member Of College Fraternity Under Fire For Racism". HuffPost. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  10. 1 2 3 Ashton Pittman, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves' 2003 Victory over Gary Anderson 'All About Race,' Critics Say, Jackson Free Press (March 11, 2019).
  11. ↑ Bobby Harrison, Outgoing treasurer Bennett honored, Daily Journal (June 25, 2003).
  12. ↑ "Anderson, Reeves out to early leads in treasurer primaries". The Sun Herald.
  13. ↑ Emily Wagster Pettus, Anderson, Reeves Win Nominations For Treasurer, Greenwood Commonwealth (August 26, 2003)
  14. 1 2 Byrd, Sheila Hardwell (November 6, 2003). "Race may have been factor in Miss. elections". The Ocala Star-Banner . Associated Press.
  15. 1 2 Sid Salter, Tate Reeves, Jim Hood race will be an old school, political street brawl, Clarion ledger (October 3, 2018).
  16. ↑ "Reeves launches campaign for lt. gov". Associated Press. February 6, 2011.
  17. ↑ August 2, 2011 Primary Election Results: Republican Primary (Certified) (PDF) (Report). Mississippi Secretary of State.
  18. ↑ Official Tabulation of Vote for State Office of Lieutenant Governor (PDF) (Report). Mississippi Secretary of State. 2011.
  19. ↑ Bobby Harrison, Senate Republicans reject plan to expand Medicaid, provide health care coverage to 300,000 more Mississippians, Mississippi Today (February 10, 2021).
  20. ↑ The Latest: Lt. governor says no to increasing gas tax, Associated Press (April 12, 2018).
  21. ↑ "Tate Reeves re-elected as Mississippi Lt. Governor". WLOX. November 3, 2015.
  22. ↑ "The Latest: GOP's Reeves files for Mississippi governor". Associated Press . January 3, 2019.
  23. 1 2 3 Richard Fausset, Mississippi Governor Primary: Republican Favorite Is Forced Into Runoff, New York Times (August 6, 2019).
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bologna, Giacomo; Ramseth, Luke (August 7, 2019). "Tate Reeves, Bill Waller head to runoff for Republican governor primary". Jackson Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  25. ↑ Stephen D. Shaffer, "Mississippi: Republican Hegemony Persists" in The 2020 Presidential Election in the South. Eds. Scott E. Buchanan & Branwell Dubose Kapeluck. (Lexington Books, 2021), p. 113.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 Moser, Bob (April 7, 2020). "How Mississippi's Governor Undermined Efforts to Contain the Coronavirus". The New Yorker.
  27. 1 2 Emily Wagster Pettus, Mississippi governor candidate Reeves decries 'liberals', Associated Press (April 8, 2019).
  28. ↑ Lee, Jasmine C.; Andre, Mike; White, Isaac (August 27, 2019). "Mississippi Primary Runoff Election Results". The New York Times . Associated Press . Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  29. 1 2 Trump again wins Mississippi, with its 6 electoral votes, Associated Press (November 3, 2020).
  30. ↑ Adam Ganucheau, Kayleigh Skinner and Bobby Harrison, At Trump rally in Tupelo, impeachment inquiry steals spotlight from Tate Reeves, governor's race, Mississippi Today (November 1, 2019).
  31. ↑ Luke Ramseth & Giacomo Bologna, Trump rally in Tupelo MS: Here's what the president said about Reeves, Hood, Mississippi Clarion Ledger (November 1, 2019).
  32. ↑ Ramseth, Luke; Balogna, Giacomo (November 5, 2019). "Republican Tate Reeves wins Mississippi governor race". Mississippi Clarion Ledger. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  33. 1 2 3 Adam Ganucheau & Bobby Harrison, Tate Reeves defeats Jim Hood, secures Republican sweep of statewide offices, Mississippi Today (November 6, 2019).
  34. ↑ 2019 General Election Official Statewide Recapitulation, Mississippi Secretary of State.
  35. ↑ Emily Wagster Pettus, New Gov. Tate Reeves pledges to work 'for all Mississippi', Associated Press (January 14, 2020).
  36. ↑ "Mississippi Governor Live Election Results 2023: Tate Reeves takes on Brandon Presley". www.nbcnews.com.
  37. ↑ Tanneeru, Manav. "2023 Elections | CNN Politics". CNN.
  38. ↑ "Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves re-elected". WJTV. November 8, 2023.
  39. ↑ Williams, Angela (June 8, 2020). "Governor: Mississippi flag should be changed by the people, not group of politicians". WAPT News. On the World Wide Web. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  40. 1 2 Pender, Geoff; Skinner, Kayleigh (June 27, 2020). "Gov. Tate Reeves: If Legislature passes bill to change state flag, 'I will sign it'". Mississippi Today. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  41. ↑ Madani, Doha; Stelloh, Tim (June 28, 2020). "Mississippi Legislature passes bill to eliminate Confederate symbol from state flag". NBC News. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  42. ↑ Pettus, Emily Wagster (June 30, 2020). "With a pen stroke, Mississippi drops Confederate-themed flag". Associated Press News.
  43. 1 2 3 Christine Hauser, Mississippi Governor Clarifies Order Defining Most Businesses as Essential, New York Times (March 26, 2020).
  44. 1 2 3 4 Adam Ganusheau, Mayors scramble to know: Does Gov. Reeves' coronavirus declaration clash with local orders?, Mississippi Today (March 26, 2020).
  45. ↑ "Mississippi Churches, Stores Reopen As Governor Overrides Mayors' COVID-19 Orders". Mississippi Free Press. March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  46. 1 2 "Mississippi governor reconsiders reopening state after its largest spike of COVID-19 deaths and cases". Good Morning America. ABC News. May 2, 2020.[ permanent dead link ]
  47. 1 2 3 4 Emily Wagster Pettus, Mississippi governor says his youngest daughter has COVID-19, Associated Press (November 10, 2020).
  48. ↑ Jaclyn Peiser, Mississippi's governor limited gatherings in the state. But he's still inviting legislators to holiday parties., Washington Post (December 9, 2020).
  49. ↑ Leah Willingham, Mississippi governor defends hosting parties amid virus, Associated Press (December 9, 2020).
  50. ↑ Stribling, Will (April 30, 2021). "Gov. Reeves ends previous COVID-19 restrictions, keeps school mask mandate". Mississippi Today. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  51. ↑ Williams, Angela (April 30, 2021). "Governor's executive order sets end date for school mask mandate". WAPT.
  52. ↑ Emily Wagster Pettus & Leah Willingham, Mississippi governor: Masks recommended but not mandated, Associated Press (March 2, 2021).
  53. 1 2 Mississippi governor says CDC mask guidance is 'foolish', Associated Press (July 29, 2021).
  54. ↑ Devan Cole (April 4, 2021). "Mississippi GOP governor pushes back on vaccine passports: 'I don't think it's a good thing to do in America'". CNN.
  55. ↑ Haselhorst, Sarah (April 6, 2021). "'I don't think it's necessary': Mississippi governor admonishes vaccine passports". The Clarion-Ledger.
  56. 1 2 Melina Delkic, Mississippi has the country's lowest vaccination rates. The governor says that’s not a problem., New York Times (June 6, 2021).
  57. ↑ "Tate Reeves: Biden vaccine mandate an 'attack on hardworking Americans'". the Guardian. September 19, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  58. ↑ Leah Willingham (September 10, 2020). "Mississippi governor calls Biden vaccine mandate 'tyranny'". Associated Press News.
  59. ↑ Angela Williams, President takes on Mississippi governor over vaccine mandates, WAPT (September 17, 2021).
  60. ↑ Josh Carter, The war of words between Tate Reeves and Joe Biden continues to escalate, WDAM (September 16, 2021).
  61. ↑ Kobee Vance, Governor Tate Reeves announces lawsuit to challenge Biden administration vaccine mandate, Mississippi Public Broadcasting (September 14, 2021).
  62. 1 2 Ashton Pittman (August 28, 2021). "Mississippi Passes NY's COVID Death Rate; Reeves Says Residents 'Less Scared'". Mississippi Free Press.
  63. ↑ Emily Wagster Pettus (August 30, 2021). "Mississippi governor: Christians are 'less scared' of COVID". Associated Press News.
  64. ↑ Blake Alsup, Gov. Tate Reeves won't call special session to address hospital staffing shortage, Daily Journal (August 19, 2021).
  65. ↑ Leah Willingham, Mississippi governor vetoes criminal justice bills, Associated Press (July 9, 2020).
  66. ↑ Emily Wagner Pettus, Mississippi governor agrees to expand possibility of parole, Associated Press (April 22, 2021).
  67. ↑ Tyler Wann, Despite new state law, dozens imprisoned in Mississippi for nonviolent acts will never get paroled, Mississippi Center For Investigative Reporting (June 28, 2021).
  68. ↑ Emily Wagster Pettus, Mississippi gov: No plan for pardon in life sentence for pot, Associated Press (August 31, 2020).
  69. 1 2 Emily Wagster Pettus, Mississippi governor: Close part of notorious state prison, Associated Press (January 27, 2020).
  70. ↑ Emily Wagster Pettus, Mississippi governor tours prison rocked by deadly violence, Associated Press (January 23, 2020).
  71. ↑ Hannah Knowles & Marisa Iati, Nine have died in a month at a notorious Mississippi prison, and the governor has had enough, Washington Post (January 28, 2020).
  72. ↑ Gov. Reeves: Inmates being transferred out of Unit 29 at Parchman, WJTV (February 19, 2020).
  73. ↑ Luke Ramseth, Reeves says excessive cars, comp time among wasteful spending at MDOC in recent years, Mississippi Clarion Ledger (February 8, 2020).
  74. ↑ "Governor 'long way' from deciding on if he'll call special session". WAPT. May 18, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  75. 1 2 Taylor Vance, Gov. Tate Reeves supports special session for medical marijuana, Daily Journal (June 15, 2021).
  76. ↑ Emily Wagster Pettus, Gov supports 'will of voters' on issue of medical marijuana, Associated Press (June 7, 2021).
  77. ↑ Sanderlin, Lee O. "Gov. Tate Reeves signs Mississippi medical marijuana bill into law". clarionledger.com. Clarion Ledger. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  78. ↑ Emily Wagster Pettus, Mississippi governor proposes phasing out state income tax, Associated Press (November 16, 2020).
  79. ↑ Emily Wagster Pettus, Analysis: Mississippi leaders try big, quick tax changes, Associated Press (February 28, 2021).
  80. ↑ Emily Wagster Pettus, Mississippi tax cut plan: Alive, then dead, then alive again, Associated Press (March 16, 2021).
  81. ↑ Bobby Harrison. (21 November 2021). "Key credit rating agency voices concerns about Reeves’ proposed tax cuts, says it is watching". Mississippi Today website Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  82. 1 2 3 "What exactly is Gov. Tate Reeves' involvement in the welfare scandal?". Mississippi Today. August 21, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  83. ↑ Watch: Tapper presses Mississippi governor on definition of conception - CNN Video, May 8, 2022, retrieved July 10, 2022
  84. 1 2 Emily Wagster Pettus (November 5, 2020). "Mississippi governor says he'd veto mail-in or early voting". Associated Press News.
  85. 1 2 Emily Wagster Pettus, Analysis: Politics infuse Mississippi governor's budget plan, Associated Press (November 22, 2020).
  86. ↑ Bobby Harrison. (15 November 2021). "Gov. Tate Reeves offers his own plan for spending $1.2 billion in federal funds". MississippiToday.org Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  87. 1 2 Bump, Philip. "Analysis: 'There is not systemic racism' says a governor who named April as Confederate Heritage Month". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  88. ↑ "Gov. Reeves: April is Confederate Heritage Month and Genocide Awareness Month". April 12, 2022.
  89. ↑ Harrison, Bobby (December 14, 2020). "Mississippi electors vote Trump, top officials cast doubt about election results in other states". Mississippi Today. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  90. ↑ Justin Baragona, Post-Mask Mississippi Guv Refuses to Say Biden 'Legitimately and Lawfully Elected', Daily Beast (March 7, 2021).
  91. 1 2 "Elee Reeves". National Governors Association. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  92. ↑ "Mississippi General Election Results 2019". ClarionLedger.com. November 5, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  93. ↑ "Mississippi Governor Election Results". The New York Times. November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  94. ↑ "Mississippi Governor". CNN. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  95. ↑ "Mississippi General Election". 270toWin. Retrieved November 20, 2023.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Tate Reeves at Wikimedia Commons

Political offices
Preceded by
Peyton Prospere
 Treasurer of Mississippi
2004–2012		Succeeded by
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi
2012–2020		Succeeded by
Governor of Mississippi
2020–present		Incumbent
Party political offices
Vacant
Title last held by
J. Walter Michel 		Republican nominee for Mississippi State Treasurer
2003, 2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi
2011, 2015 		Succeeded by
Republican nominee for Governor of Mississippi
2019, 2023 		Most recent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Vice President Order of precedence of the United States
Within Mississippi		Succeeded by
Mayor of city
in which event is held
Succeeded by
Otherwise Mike Johnson
as Speaker of the House
Preceded byas Governor of Indiana Order of precedence of the United States
Outside Mississippi		Succeeded byas Governor of Illinois
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