Even amidst a new legislative session and mid-term elections, Republican rumblings about next year’s elections grow as precipitous events loom.
Likely gubernatorial candidate Tommy Duff is rumored ready to put $10 million into his campaign account. This would start dominoes tumbling. Attorney General Lynn Fitch and State Auditor Shad White would likely skip that race. Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson, however, will leave his hat on and in. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann says he remains in. Pundits say former House Speaker Philip Gunn, former Rep. Greg Harper, and current Rep. Trent Kelly have their toes dangling, hoping events cause the money and interest waters to reach them.
What might Lynn and Shad do? If she seeks re-election, he would likely take her on – a potential race of the year. White, who will not seek re-election, could also run for Lt. Governor. That would pit him against Secretary of State Michael Watson, who is running, State Sen. Briggs Hopson who wants to, and former State Sen. Chris McDaniel who ran in 2023. Hosemann, like Gov. Tate Reeves, is prohibited from seeking re-election.
Another precipitous event looms. With the U.S. Senate approving the appointments of Mississippi Supreme Court Justices Robert Chamberlin and James Maxwell to federal judgeships, will any of the above seek, or be sought, to fill their positions? Reeves can appoint successors until new elections are held – a common means for new justices to get on the supreme bench.
Complicating this is the federal court order to redraw supreme court districts and hold new elections. U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock wants special elections held in November using new districts crafted by the legislature this session. The state has appealed. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has stayed all proceedings while the U.S. Supreme Court considers other cases which could affect its ruling.
Who will Reeves appoint? Who wants to be appointed given the litigation? Among the above names, several could be interested, including Fitch. Then there is the rumor that Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell would be considered for AG if that position opens up. Would White then run against Tindell?
In other races, State Sen. Jeff Tate, State Rep. Lee Yancy, former Deputy AG Whitney Lipscomb, and Shuwaski Young, a switched Democrat, want Watson’s job. State Rep. Janson Owens and former State Rep. Nick Baine are running for State Auditor. Deputy Ag Commissioner Hayes Patrick and Kyle Cockrell, a farmers market owner from Magee, are prospects for Ag Commissioner. And, if the legislature does not abolish his position, Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney would likely run again.
Looks like a potential wholesale turnover. Can any Democrats take advantage?
“A time to keep and a time to throw away" – Ecclesiastes 3:6.
Crawford is an author and syndicated columnist from Jackson.
