The Republican Party welcomed a victory in Mississippi’s elections with three of the top four races going to GOP members.
Republicans won in the races for governor, lieutenant governor and state treasurer. Democrats received a victory in the race for attorney general.
Republican nominee Haley Barbour claimed the state’s highest executive office Tuesday when Mississippi voters elected him as their governor. Barbour beat Gov. Ronnie Musgrove who was seeking a second term in office.
Barbour’s campaign issued a statement saying, “Haley is very appreciative of the support he received in Oktibbeha County and from students at Mississippi State who were influential in helping Haley win this election.”
In a press conference Wednesday Barbour said his top priorities for the upcoming years are to create jobs and develop the state’s economy, to crack down on drug crime, to resolve the budget problems of the state within the next two years and to focus on education.
“Governor Musgrove has been very gracious,” Barbour said. “He called last night to congratulate me and offer his cooperation for a smooth and successful transition. He has been very cooperative, which I appreciate tremendously.”
The unofficial numbers showed Barbour having a slight majority of the vote over Musgrove. According to state law, the winner of the governor’s race must have a majority of the votes, or “50 percent plus one.”
Musgrove said he was proud of his record of improving the state’s schools and creating jobs for the people of Mississippi. He wished Barbour the best of luck in his term as governor.
Incumbent Amy Tuck won a second term as the state’s lieutenant governor by a wider margin than that of the governor’s race, and became the first woman to be re-elected to a statewide office.
“I am proud of our support and proud of the campaign we ran,” Tuck said. “Mississippians responded to my proven record and the vision I have for what we can accomplish for this state.”
Tuck defeated opponent Barbara Blackmon for the office.
Tuck thanked her supporters for their efforts and help in her campaign and said she was honored by all the Mississippians who placed their trust in her. She vowed to continue to do what is in the interest of the state.
In another Republican victory, Tate Reeves took the state’s treasurer’s office after a period of uncertainty.
Reeves could not be reached by press time.
Reeves opponent, Gary Anderson, said he was thankful to the voters of the state and for their support. He thanked all the volunteers of his campaign for their hard work and efforts.
In a change of pace, Jim Hood, the Democratic candidate for the state’s attorney general office, won his race with a clear majority.