Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves won the race for Mississippi governor Tuesday night, defeating Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood.
For the first time since Reconstruction, Republicans were on track Tuesday to control all statewide elected offices in Mississippi. They also are expected to maintain super-majority control of the Legislature.
In incomplete and unofficial results, Reeves led Hood on Tuesday night 52% to 47%. After a race filled with attack ads, Reeves took a conciliatory tone in his victory speech in downtown Jackson.
"I will try to do what is right for the future of Mississippi," Reeves said. "And I mean all the people of Mississippi."
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Reeves said his supporters worked hard because they "believe that Mississippi must be different."
"We must resist the leftward drift of our country. We must build a workforce for the jobs of the next 50 years," he said. "We must protect the culture that makes this a great place to raise a family. We must understand that you can govern as a conservative in Mississippi and still get elected.”
RGA Chairman and Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts released the following statement:
"Tate Reeves is an innovative, vibrant policy leader with an unparalleled understanding of the issues that are important to Mississippians and a bold agenda to move the state forward. Mississippi voters responded to Tate’s common sense proposals to invest in education and workforce development without raising taxes or growing government, and tonight’s results make it clear that the electorate trusts Tate Reeves to lead the Magnolia State into the future. Tate will be ready on day one to build on the accomplishments of his predecessor, Governor Phil Bryant. On behalf of the RGA and his fellow Republican governors, I congratulate Governor-elect Tate Reeves on this well-earned victory."