2023 saw multiple off-year elections take place in various states. Mississippi was host to a slew of statewide elections, with its legislative chambers also being up for election. However, only the Mississippi gubernatorial race was thought to be competitive. This article will examine each race using votes cast analysis (by taking the top eight counties by votes cast and the rest of the state as a bloc).
Gubernatorial election
In the Gubernatorial election, incumbent Republican Governor Tate Reeves ran for re-election, despite being implicated in a scandal involving the misuse of welfare funds that also ensnared former NFL quarterback Brett Favre. Reeves had won his 2019 election for governor by a slim margin, due to the strength of the Democratic candidate in that time, Jim Hood, the last Democrat holding statewide office in Mississippi. The presumptive Democratic nominee in 2023, Brandon Presley, ran as a pro-life Democrat with other conservative policy positions that fit the state well, so it was thought that the general election would be competitive.
In the Republican primary, Reeves won the Republican nomination with 281,213 votes (74.7%), while other Republican candidates John Witcher and David Hardigree took 66,698 (17.7%) and 28,561 (7.6%) votes, respectively. The total number of votes cast in the Republican primary amounted to some 376,472 votes, while in the Democratic primary, Presley won unopposed with 196,307 votes (100.0%). The primary vote shares were 65.73% in the Republican primary and 34.27% in the Democratic primary when the votes were added together.
Top Eight Counties (By Votes Cast)
| County | Reeves | Presley | Gray | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Hinds | 13,634 | 54,006 | 562 | 68,202 | 19.99% | 79.19% |
| Rankin | 29,025 | 14,784 | 377 | 44,186 | 65.69% | 33.46% |
| Harrison | 24,216 | 18,301 | 582 | 43,099 | 56.19% | 42.46% |
| Madison | 19,704 | 18,909 | 255 | 38,868 | 50.69% | 48.65% |
| DeSoto | 21,378 | 15,171 | 466 | 37,015 | 57.75% | 40.99% |
| Jackson | 17,685 | 10,446 | 407 | 28,538 | 61.97% | 36.60% |
| Lee | 13,024 | 10,186 | 180 | 23,390 | 55.68% | 43.55% |
| Jones | 13,333 | 6,718 | 453 | 20,504 | 65.03% | 32.76% |
| Total | 151,999 | 148,521 | 3,282 | 303,802 | 50.03% | 48.89% |
| Margin | R +3,478 | R +1.14% |
Rest of State (Total Votes)
| Counties | Reeves | Presley | Gray | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Rest of State | 266,234 | 243,093 | 7,871 | 517,198 | 51.48% | 47.00% |
| Total | 266,234 | 243,093 | 7,871 | 517,198 | 50.26% | 48.26% |
| Margin | R +23,141 | R +2.00% |
In the general election, Reeves narrowly won the top eight counties by votes cast by a combined 151,999 – 148,521 votes (50.03% – 48.89%), with a margin of 3,478 votes (1.14%). This allowed him to carry the state narrowly, due to his win in the rest of Mississippi of 266,234 -243,093 votes (50.26% – 48.26%), which he won by 23,141 votes (2.00%). In the end, Democratic candidate Presley’s overperformance across the state meant that Reeves carried the state by a very slim 418,233 – 391,614 votes (50.94% – 47.70%), or with a margin of 26,619 votes (3.24%).
Lieutenant Gubernatorial Election
In the 2023 Mississippi Lieutenant Gubernatorial Election, incumbent Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann ran for re-election. For him to win re-election, Hosemann would have to fend off a challenge from the right from Republican State Senator Chris McDaniel in the Republican primary. The Democratic candidate, D. Ryan Grover, advanced without primary opposition to the general election in November. The Lieutenant Gubernatorial election was not thought to be competitive, as Hosemann had great electoral strength throughout the state.
In the Republican primary, Hosemann won the nomination with 198,979 votes (52.11%), while McDaniel took 162,708 votes (42.61%). A third Republican candidate, Tiffany Longino, earned 20,143 votes (5.28%). In the primary, Hosemann held below 60.00% of the vote, historically a danger sign for incumbents, but considering he was more of an establishment candidate and faced no real scandals, he was widely expected to win in the November general election.
Top Eight Counties (By Votes Cast)
| Counties | Hosemann | Grover | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Hinds | 24,928 | 42,542 | 67,470 | 36.95% | 63.05% |
| Rankin | 32,770 | 10,843 | 43,613 | 75.14% | 24.86% |
| Harrison | 28,069 | 14,495 | 42,564 | 65.95% | 34.05% |
| Madison | 24,493 | 13,990 | 38,483 | 63.65% | 36.35% |
| DeSoto | 22,852 | 13,719 | 36,571 | 62.49% | 37.51% |
| Jackson | 19,970 | 8,259 | 28,229 | 70.74% | 29.26% |
| Lee | 15,984 | 6,984 | 22,968 | 69.59% | 30.41% |
| Jones | 13,985 | 5,761 | 19,746 | 70.82% | 29.18% |
| Total | 183,051 | 116,593 | 299,644 | 61.09% | 38.91% |
| Margin | R +66,458 | R +22.18% |
Rest of State (Total Votes)
| Counties | Hosemann | Grover | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Rest of State | 307,905 | 200,754 | 508,659 | 60.53% | 39.47% |
| Total | 307,905 | 200,754 | 508,659 | 60.53% | 39.47% |
| Margin | R +107,151 | R +21.06% |
In the general election, Hosemann won the top eight counties by votes cast by a combined 183,051 – 116,593 votes (61.09% – 38.91%), with a convincing margin of 66,458 votes (or 22.18%). In the rest of the state’s counties, he did extremely well, winning against Grover by a heavy 307,905 – 200,754 votes (60.53% – 39.47%), or a margin of 107,151 votes (21.06%). It is a testament to Hosemann’s relative strength in the more populated areas that he won the more populated areas by a higher percentage than the rest of the state’s counties. In the end, Hosemann won the state by a solid 490,956 – 317,347 votes (60.74% – 39.26%), or by a margin of 173,609 votes (21.48%).
Secretary of State election
In the Secretary of State election, incumbent Republican Michael Watson ran for re-election, facing off against Democratic candidate Shuwaski Young. Watson won the Republican primary unopposed with 351,774 votes, while Young won the Democratic primary unopposed with 152,115 votes. However, in August before the election, Young withdrew his candidacy, and the Democratic party in Mississippi replaced him with Ty Pinkins. Both Watson and Pinkins advanced to the general election, where they would face off in November.
Top Eight Counties (By Votes Cast)
| Counties | Watson | Pinkins | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Hinds | 19,571 | 47,813 | 67,384 | 29.04% | 70.96% |
| Rankin | 32,477 | 11,575 | 44,052 | 73.72% | 26.28% |
| Harrison | 27,347 | 15,174 | 42,521 | 64.31% | 35.69% |
| Madison | 23,245 | 15,358 | 38,603 | 60.22% | 39.78% |
| DeSoto | 23,109 | 13,629 | 36,738 | 62.90% | 37.10% |
| Jackson | 19,761 | 8,519 | 28,280 | 69.88% | 30.12% |
| Lee | 15,540 | 7,380 | 22,920 | 67.80% | 32.20% |
| Jones | 14,918 | 5,442 | 20,360 | 73.27% | 26.73% |
| Total | 175,968 | 124,890 | 300,858 | 58.49% | 41.51% |
| Margin | R +51,078 | R +16.98% |
Rest of State (Total Votes)
| County | Watson | Pinkins | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Rest of State | 305,927 | 203,177 | 509,104 | 60.09% | 39.91% |
| Total | 305,927 | 203,177 | 509,104 | 60.09% | 39.91% |
| Margin | R +102,750 | R +20.18% |
In the general election, Watson won the top eight counties (by votes cast) in the state by a combined 175,968 -124,890 votes (58.49% – 41.51%), or with a margin of 51,078 votes (16.98%). Watson also won the rest of the state’s counties by a combined 305,927 – 203,177 votes (60.09% – 39.91%), or by a margin of 102,850 votes (22.18%). This enabled Watson to win the state by a combined 481,895 -328,067 votes (59.50% – 40.50%), or by a margin of 153,828 votes (19.00%).
Attorney General election
In the Attorney General election, incumbent Republican Lynn Fitch ran for re-election, running unopposed in her primary. She won 350,670 votes in the Republican primary, while Greta Martin won the Democratic primary with 152,682 votes. Both candidates advanced to the general election.
Top Eight Counties (By Votes Cast)
| Counties | Fitch | Martin | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Hinds | 17,145 | 50,458 | 67,603 | 25.36% | 74.64% |
| Rankin | 30,958 | 12,955 | 43,913 | 70.50% | 29.50% |
| Harrison | 26,460 | 16,127 | 42,587 | 62.13% | 37.87% |
| Madison | 21,910 | 16,699 | 38,609 | 56.75% | 43.25% |
| DeSoto | 23,137 | 13,630 | 36,767 | 62.93% | 37.07% |
| Jackson | 19,124 | 9,138 | 28,262 | 67.67% | 32.33% |
| Lee | 15,420 | 7,569 | 22,989 | 67.08% | 32.92% |
| Jones | 14,724 | 5,652 | 20,376 | 72.26% | 27.74% |
| Total | 168,878 | 132,228 | 301,106 | 56.09% | 43.91% |
| Margin | R +36,650 | R +12.18% |
Rest of State (Total Votes)
| Counties | Fitch | Martin | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Rest of State | 301,992 | 207,720 | 509,712 | 59.25% | 40.75% |
| Total | 301,992 | 207,720 | 509,712 | 59.25% | 40.75% |
| Margin | R +94,272 | R +18.50% |
In the general election, Fitch won the state’s top eight counties (by votes cast) by a combined 168,878 – 132,228 votes (56.09% – 43.91%), or with a margin of 36,650 votes (by 12.18%). Fitch also won the rest of the state 301,992 – 207,720 votes (59.25% – 40.75%), or by a margin of 94,272 votes (18.50%). This enabled her to win the state 470,870 – 339,948 votes (58.07% – 41.93%), with a margin of 130,922 votes or by 16.15%.
State Auditor
In the State Auditor election, Shad White, the incumbent Republican State Auditor, Shad White, ran for re-election. White ran unopposed in the Republican primary, earning 347,921 votes, while the Democratic candidate, Larry Bradford, ran unopposed in his primary, winning 153,039 votes. Both candidates advanced to the general election in November.
Top Eight Counties (By Votes Cast)
| Counties | White | Bradford | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Hinds | 21,224 | 46,100 | 67,324 | 31.53% | 68.47% |
| Rankin | 32,776 | 11,256 | 44,032 | 74.44% | 25.56% |
| Harrison | 26,519 | 15,842 | 42,361 | 62.60% | 37.40% |
| Madison | 23,252 | 15,240 | 38,492 | 60.41% | 39.59% |
| DeSoto | 22,913 | 13,803 | 36,716 | 62.41% | 37.59% |
| Jackson | 19,148 | 8,988 | 28,136 | 68.06% | 31.94% |
| Lee | 15,286 | 7,557 | 22,843 | 66.92% | 33.08% |
| Jones | 15,022 | 5,357 | 20,379 | 73.71% | 26.29% |
| Total | 176,140 | 124,143 | 300,283 | 58.66% | 41.34% |
| Margin | R +51,997 | R +17.32% |
Rest of State (Total Votes)
| Counties | White | Bradford | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Rest of State | 298,173 | 210,275 | 508,448 | 58.64% | 41.36% |
| Total | 298,173 | 210,275 | 508,448 | 58.64% | 41.36% |
| Margin | R +87,898 | R +17.28% |
In the general election, White won the top eight counties by votes cast in the state by a combined 176,140 – 124,143 votes (58.66% -41.34%), or with a margin of 51,997 votes (17.32%), while carrying the rest of the state’s counties 298,173 – 210,275 votes (58.64% – 41.35%), or with a margin of 87,898 votes (17.28%). This enabled him to carry the state with a 474,313 – 334,418 (58.65% – 41.35%) vote victory, and he did so with a 139,895-vote margin (17.30%).
State Treasurer election
In the State Treasurer election, incumbent Republican David McRae ran for re-election, running unopposed in his primary with 349,800 votes. On the Democratic side, Addie Green won the nomination with 153,149 votes. The two candidates advanced to the general election in November.
Top Eight Counties (By Votes Cast)
| Counties | McRae | Green | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Hinds | 18,933 | 48,228 | 67,161 | 28.19% | 71.81% |
| Rankin | 32,365 | 11,647 | 44,012 | 73.54% | 26.46% |
| Harrison | 26,768 | 15,714 | 42,482 | 63.01% | 36.99% |
| Madison | 23,058 | 15,547 | 38,605 | 59.73% | 40.27% |
| DeSoto | 23,104 | 13,653 | 36,757 | 62.86% | 37.14% |
| Jackson | 19,306 | 8,912 | 28,218 | 68.42% | 31.58% |
| Lee | 15,295 | 7,641 | 22,936 | 66.69% | 33.31% |
| Jones | 14,723 | 5,655 | 20,378 | 72.25% | 27.75% |
| Total | 173,552 | 126,997 | 300,549 | 57.74% | 42.26% |
| Margin | R +46,555 | R +15.48% |
Rest of State (Total Votes)
| Counties | McRae | Green | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Rest of State | 299,153 | 210,011 | 509,164 | 58.75% | 41.25% |
| Total | 299,153 | 210,011 | 509,164 | 58.75% | 41.25% |
| Margin | R +89,142 | R +17.50% |
In the general election, McRae defeated Green in the top eight counties by votes cast with a 173,552 – 126,997 (57.74% – 42.26%) vote victory, winning by a margin of 46,555 votes (15.48%). McRae also won the rest of the state’s counties by a combined 299,153 – 210,011 votes (58.75% – 41.25%), or with a margin of 89,142 votes (17.50%). This enabled him to win the state 472,705 – 337,008 votes (58.38% – 41.62%), or with a statewide margin of 135,697 votes (16.76%).
Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner
In the Agriculture and Commerce Commission Election, incumbent Republican Commissioner Andy Gipson ran for re-election, running unopposed in the Republican primary with 351,194 votes. A three-candidate Democratic primary occurred, with Robert Bradford taking 97,717 votes, and the other two candidates (Bethany Hill and Terry Rogers, II) earning 49,032 and 42,079 votes. This amounted to a grand total of 188,828 votes cast in the Democratic primary. Both Gipson and Bradford advanced to the General election in November.
Top Eight Counties (By Votes Cast)
| Counties | Gipson | Bradford | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Hinds | 19,499 | 48,020 | 67,519 | 28.88% | 71.12% |
| Rankin | 32,498 | 11,582 | 44,080 | 73.73% | 26.27% |
| Harrison | 26,004 | 16,371 | 42,375 | 61.37% | 38.63% |
| Madison | 22,911 | 15,691 | 38,602 | 59.35% | 40.65% |
| DeSoto | 22,734 | 13,953 | 36,687 | 61.97% | 38.03% |
| Jackson | 18,881 | 9,294 | 28,175 | 67.01% | 32.99% |
| Lee | 15,097 | 7,773 | 22,870 | 66.01% | 33.99% |
| Jones | 14,580 | 5,795 | 20,375 | 71.56% | 28.44% |
| Total | 172,204 | 128,479 | 300,683 | 57.27% | 42.73% |
| Margin | R +43,725 | R +14.54% |
Rest of State (Total Votes)
| Counties | Gipson | Bradford | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Rest of State | 295,697 | 213,693 | 509,390 | 58.05% | 41.95% |
| Total | 295,697 | 213,693 | 509,390 | 58.05% | 41.95% |
| Margin | R +82,004 | R +16.10% |
In the general election, Gipson won the state’s top eight counties in terms of votes cast by a combined 172,204 – 128,479 votes (57.27% – 42.73%), or with a margin of 43,725 votes (14.54%), while winning the rest of the state’s counties by an amassed 295,697 – 213,693 votes (58.05% – 41.95%), or with a margin of 82,004 votes (16.10%). This allowed him to win the state 467,901 – 342,172 votes (57.76% -42.24%), or with a margin of 125,729 votes (15.52%).
Insurance Commissioner election
In the Insurance Commissioner election, incumbent Republican Mike Chaney ran for re-election, winning the Republican primary with 201,552 votes (80.3%) against Mitch Young, who took 49,487 votes (19.7%). The Republican primary amounted to some 251,039 votes cast, while Democratic candidate Bruce Burton ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, winning with 182,701 votes. Both Chaney and Burton advanced to the general election.
Top Eight Counties (By Votes Cast)
| Counties | Chaney | Burton | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Hinds | 19,717 | 47,642 | 67,359 | 29.27% | 70.73% |
| Rankin | 32,575 | 11,390 | 43,965 | 74.09% | 25.91% |
| Harrison | 26,479 | 15,932 | 42,411 | 62.43% | 37.57% |
| Madison | 23,497 | 15,096 | 38,593 | 60.88% | 39.12% |
| DeSoto | 23,125 | 13,539 | 36,664 | 63.07% | 36.93% |
| Jackson | 19,045 | 9,134 | 28,179 | 67.59% | 32.41% |
| Lee | 15,793 | 7,180 | 22,973 | 68.75% | 31.25% |
| Jones | 14,855 | 5,513 | 20,368 | 72.93% | 27.07% |
| Total | 175,086 | 125,426 | 300,512 | 58.26% | 41.74% |
| Margin | R +49,660 | R +16.52% |
Rest of State (Total Votes)
| Counties | Chaney | Burton | Total | RPCT | DPCT |
| Rest of State | 305,428 | 203,788 | 509,216 | 59.98% | 40.02% |
| Total | 305,428 | 203,788 | 509,216 | 59.98% | 40.02% |
| Margin | R +101,640 | R +19.96% |
In the general election, Chaney won the top eight counties by votes cast by a solid 175,086 -125,426 votes (58.26% – 41.74%), or with a margin of 49,660 votes (16.52%), while also winning the rest of the state’s counties 305,428 – 203,788 votes (59.98% – 40.02%), or with a margin of 101,640 votes (19.96%). This led to Chaney winning the state 480,514 – 329,214 votes (59.34% – 40.66%), or by a margin of 151,300 votes (18.68%).