JACKSON, Miss.—Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson is pursuing a new office. He announced on Tuesday his candidacy for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in 2027. Watson, 48, was first elected secretary of state in 2019 and reelected in 2023. Before that, he served in the Mississippi Senate for 12 years. The lieutenant governor also serves as president of the Mississippi Senate. 

Here are some photos from his campaign announcement in Jackson.

Michael Watson speaks to a room of people gathered for his press conference
Mississippi Republican Secretary of State Michael Watson tells supporters at a Jackson, Miss., gathering that he is running for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis
A person in a red jacket hands another person a sticker that reads 'MW Watson Lt. Governor'
A supporter is handed a campaign sticker after Mississippi Republican Secretary of State Michael Watson announces he is running for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Jackson, Miss. MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis
A person removes stickers that say 'MW Watson Lt. Governor' from a long sheet
A supporter tears off a campaign sticker after Mississippi Republican Secretary of State Michael Watson announces he is running for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Jackson, Miss. MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis
A closeup of Phil Bryant lit by the afternoon sun through a window
Former Mississippi Republican Gov. Phil Bryant, listens as Mississippi Republican Secretary of State Michael Watson tells supporters at a Jackson, Miss., gathering that he is running for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis
Michael Watson speaks at a press conference in front of a wall covered with MW logos that read Watson Lt. Governor
Mississippi Republican Secretary of State Michael Watson was first elected to statewide office in 2019. He is the first candidate to announce a run for lieutenant governor in 2027.  He announced his candidacy to supporters at a Jackson, Miss., gathering on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. MFP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis

➡️ Read more stories from the Capital City Bureau here.

Rogelio V. Solis is Mississippi Free Press' new senior photojournalist. A veteran journalist, Solis most recently served 28 years as the staff photographer with the Jackson bureau of The Associated Press.