Democratic candidate for Mississippi governor Brandon Presley outraised Republican Gov. Tate Reeves nearly 4-to-1 over the past month, campaign finance reports show. But the incumbent still has a built-in monetary advantage thanks to a campaign war chest built up over the years.
Between July 1, 2023, and Aug. 1, 2023, the Democratic candidate raised $1,128,863.93, reports filed with the Mississippi Secretary of State’s website show. During the same period, Reeves raised just $309,111.97.
“The real Mississippi momentum is behind Brandon Presley’s campaign to bring change to the governor’s office,” Presley campaign manager Ron Owens said. “This record-breaking fundraising further proves that Mississippians are ready to elect Brandon Presley, who will end corruption, stop Tate Reeves’ healthcare crisis, and cut car tag fees in half.”
Presley’s top campaign issues include a promise to expand Medicaid, end taxes on groceries and reform the state’s corruption laws. Reeves opposes Medicaid expansion and says he prefers reforming Mississippi’s certificate-of-needs laws. When asked about cutting the grocery tax at the Neshoba County Fair late last month, the governor deflected, saying that he believes it’s “a better move to eliminate the income tax to zero.”
The campaign finance reports show that Reeves’ total cash on hand is $7,415,171.77. Presley’s cash-on-hand balance is $1,545,844.72.
Reeves will face challenges in the Aug. 8 GOP primaries from John Witcher and David Hardigree. Presley is running for the Democratic nomination unopposed.
Voters who were registered to vote by July 10 can choose to vote in either the Republican or Democratic primaries, where they will select nominees for all statewide and legislative offices on Aug. 8. The general election will follow on Nov. 7.
Voters should bring an accepted form of voter ID to the polls or may have to cast an affidavit ballot; those without an accepted form of ID can obtain a free voter ID from their county circuit clerk’s office.
