Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves held an election watch party at the Westin Hotel in downtown Jackson, Miss., on Nov. 5, 2019. Reeves defeated his Democratic opponent Jim Hood, winning the Mississippi governor’s seat by 52.32% of the vote.
Supporters arrive at Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves’ election watch party at the Westin Hotel in downtown Jackson.
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant delivers remarks during Tate Reeves’ election watch party.
Leslie Gipson, wife of Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson, embraces her daughter Sarah as election results project on the screen at Tate Reeves’ election watch party.
Newly elected Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson delivers remarks during Tate Reeves’ election watch party.
Newly elected Mississippi Treasurer David McRae delivers remarks during Tate Reeves’ election watch party.
Supporters watch Jim Hood’s concession speech during Tate Reeves’ election watch party.
Supporters watch Jim Hood’s concession speech during Tate Reeves’ election watch party.
Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Lucien Smith introduces Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant during Tate Reeves’ election watch party.
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant delivers remarks during Tate Reeves’ election watch party.
Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves delivers his victory speech after winning the Mississippi governor’s seat.
Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves delivers his victory speech after winning the Mississippi governor’s seat. Seyma Bayram
With his family beside him, Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood concedes defeat in the race for Mississippi governor at the King Edward Hotel on Nov. 5, 2019. He was the last Democrat who still held statewide office.
Democrat Mike Espy, who lost a bid for U.S. Senate in 2018, listens as Jim Hood concedes the race for governor on Nov. 5, 2019. Espy is getting ready for a rematch with U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in 2020.
Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson speaks at Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves’ election watch party. Photo by Nick Judin.
Lucien Smith, former chief of staff and senior advisor to two past Mississippi governors, speaks at Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves’ election watch party. Photo by Nick Judin.
Mark Cumbest attends Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves’ election watch party. Photo by Nick Judin.
Commissioner of Insurance and State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney speaks at Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves’ election watch party. Photo by Nick Judin.
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant speaks at Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves’ election watch party. Photo by Nick Judin.
Mississippi State Auditor Shad White speaks at Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves’ election watch party. Photo by Nick Judin.
Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves speaks at his election watch party after winning the governor’s seat. Photo by Nick Judin.
Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves defeats Attorney General Jim Hood for the governor’s seat. Photo by Nick Judin.

Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves held an election watch party at the Westin Hotel in downtown Jackson, Miss., on Nov. 5, 2019. Reeves defeated his Democratic opponent Jim Hood, winning the Mississippi governor’s seat by 52.32% of the vote.

Mississippi native Donna Ladd and partner Todd Stauffer founded the Jackson Free Press in 2002 in the capital city. The heavily awarded local newspaper did many investigations heralded across the state and nation and served as a paper of record due to its diversity, inclusion, in-depth reporting and deep connection to readers and dedication to narrative change in and about Mississippi. In 2022, the nonprofit Mississippi Free Press, founded by Ladd and JFP Associate Publisher Kimberly Griffin in 2020, purchased the journalism assets and archives of the Jackson Free Press. A Google grant through AAN Publishers enabled Newspack's integration of the JFP archives into the Mississippi Free Press website to become part of a more searchable archive of recent Mississippi history and essential journalism.