Much has been said and written already about the 2019 governor’s race, but not a lot has been debated yet about the other statewide positions.
That may be because the Democratic Party in Mississippi is in such tatters that its candidates in those down-ballot races have essentially no chance to win, even if Democrat Jim Hood wins the governor’s office. The real action, therefore, will be in the Aug. 5 Republican primary.
Here’s a look at those races:
Lieutenant Governor
Delbert Hosemann has done an admirable job as secretary of state and has won supporters both within and without his party. I have to admit I had to Google his opponent, Shane Quick; even worse, that almighty search engine didn’t even seem to know. That doesn’t bode well for his chances against someone who has already been elected to statewide office multiple times.
Secretary of State
This is an interesting race because it pits two existing officeholders, Public Service Commissioner Sam Britton and State Sen. Michael Watson, both of whom are from South Mississippi, against each other for an open seat. Britton did a good job helping end the Kemper plant fiasco, although I wish he had pushed harder for Southern Co. to pay the full bill rather than more than $1 billion being put on ratepayers like me. The Laurel businessman seems to enjoy the limelight and is a charismatic speaker. Watson, an up-and-comer from Pascagoula, would appear to be the choice of the GOP leadership. I would call him the slight favorite, but never underestimate the power of being first in alphabetical order in a race where most voters don’t bother to educate themselves.
Treasurer
Buck Clarke, an accountant from the Delta who has been one of the key budget writers in the Legislature, will face David McRae, a Jackson lawyer from a well-known family who ran for the position four years ago and lost to Lynn Fitch, who is now running for attorney general. Clarke seems to be the insider here versus McRae as the outsider coming at him from the right. Again, an interesting race where Clarke is the favorite.
Attorney General
This seat is open with Hood running for governor and it has drawn three legitimate Republican contenders: Mark Baker, an influential state House member from Brandon; Lynn Fitch, the current state treasurer; and Andy Taggart, an attorney and veteran GOP figure who was Gov. Kirk Fordice’s chief of staff.
Fitch got my goat for trying to avoid running public notice required by law in newspapers about debts owed to citizens, so she’s out from consideration for voting from the start for me. I don’t know much about Baker, but Taggart is an interesting anomaly because he’s one of the few Republican figures in Mississippi who has said anything critical of President Trump. It will be interesting how that is used in this tightly contested race.
State Auditor
Republican Shad White, appointed by Gov. Phil Bryant last year after Stacey Pickering stepped down, didn’t draw an opponent in the primary or general election. His political future remains bright.
Ag Commissioner
Republican Andy Gipson, also tabbed by Bryant after Cindy Hyde-Smith resigned when appointed to the U.S. Senate, is popular and has been a particularly vocal champion of Mississippi farmers since taking office. He doesn’t have a GOP opponent but will face Rickey Cole, a former state Democratic chair, in the general election.
Insurance Commissioner
Republican Mike Chaney, too, is a popular incumbent in a position that doesn’t get much attention. He has no primary opposition and should easily win over his Democratic opponent, Robert E. Amos.
Charlie Smith is editor and publisher of The Columbian-Progress. Reach him at 736-2611 or csmith@columbianprogress.com.
