Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Sid Salter: '27 Governor's Race Shaping Up Like the Hard-Fought '87 Elections

The Neshoba County Fair political speaking program last week made plain two facts moving toward the 2027 statewide elections in Mississippi. First, the field of candidates in the race to succeed two-term Republican Gov. Tate Reeves may be broad, and second, the 2027 race will be hard-fought and may have substantial parallels to the 1987 Mississippi Democratic gubernatorial primary.

Based on their Neshoba appearances last week, it’s safe to say that Republicans Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, State Auditor Shadrack White, State Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson, former State College Board member and billionaire businessman Thomas Duff are all “strongly considering” gubernatorial bids in 2027 although none formally announced. Hosemann, White and Gipson spoke under the Pavilion, Duff worked the cabins campaign style.

The political jury is out on Republican Attorney General Lynn Fitch making a bid for the Governor’s Mansion in 2027, but her entry into that race would shock no one. There are usually some unknowns or single-issue candidates from both parties, so the candidate totals could mount once the Democrats field their candidates. One has to ask if Democrat Brandon Presley will make another run after a strong performance in 2023.

The potential for a large field, the presence of a potential candidate with strong personal wealth and the presence of an ambitious Harvard-educated state auditor has the early going of the 2027 gubernatorial race shaping up much like the 1987 Mississippi gubernatorial election.

In that memorable campaign, Democratic state auditor and Harvard alum Ray Mabus defeated millionaire Delta planter and businessman Mike Sturdivant of Glendora in the Democratic Second Primary and then defeated Republican Tupelo businessman Jack Reed Sr., in the 1987 General Election. Sturdivant made two unsuccessful bids for Mississippi’s Democratic Party gubernatorial nomination.

In the 1983 gubernatorial campaign, Sturdivant placed third in the Democratic gubernatorial primary behind eventual Gov. Bill Allain and former Lt. Gov. Evelyn Gandy. But Sturdivant came roaring back in 1987 in the last great political Pier Six brawl for the Democratic Party’s gubernatorial nomination between eventual winner Ray Mabus, Maurice Dantin, John Arthur Eaves, Gilbert Fountain, Ed Pittman, H.R. Toney, former Gov. Bill Waller, and Sturdivant.

In 1987, Sturdivant made the Democratic Party’s second primary in a showdown with fellow Harvard graduate Mabus. It’s the only time in Mississippi history that two Harvard graduates fought over the privilege of leading Mississippi’s executive branch of government.

The 1987 showdown with Mabus was a bare-knuckle affair. Despite Mabus’s substantial family wealth, the high-profile state auditor framed the contest by lambasting Sturdivant’s status as a plantation owner and accused him of misrepresenting job creation numbers from his far-flung hotel management business as jobs all being created in Mississippi.

Sturdivant hit back, accusing Mabus of being the darling of Wall Street bond brokers who had made sizeable contributions to his campaign. In putting his wealth where his mouth was in the campaign, Sturdivant spent between $1.3 and $1.6 million of his own money in the race against Mabus. That fact led to editorial cartoons lampooning Sturdivant as holding a campaign fundraiser at his breakfast table attended only by his wife – which hurt his campaign.

When the dust settled, Mabus soundly defeated Sturdivant in 1987 by taking 466,883 votes or 64.6 percent of the vote to 255,622 for Sturdivant. Mabus carried 76 of 82 counties. On the evening of that defeat in 1987, Sturdivant said: “To those of you who were disappointed in tonight, remember that the dreams that unite us are greater than the differences of opinions that sometimes separate us.”

The initial Neshoba fireworks between White and Hosemann signals the potential for a bruising GOP primary. Duff’s potential entry into the race remains an intriguing wild card based on whether he runs as a Republican or an Independent and the impact – or lack of it – of his faith as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

The 1987 Mississippi gubernatorial race was a political donnybrook that featured a lot of political talent, a lot of campaign finances and any number of candidates in that race who could have served ably and well as governor. The approaching 2027 campaign appears likely to feature many of those same attributes.

Sid Salter is a syndicated columnist. Contact him at sidsalter@sidsalter.com.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Most likely Mississippi return to a Blue State. The next census will likely show that immigrants are the largest minorit minority in this state And whites are now a minitory in Mississippi as well as the United State as a whole. President Kamala and Vice President Tim Walz both support federal voting civil rights for non-citizens.

Anonymous said...

Lord please help us if we’re dumb enough to look at Jackson, MS, California and almost all other out of control crime Democrat controlled cities and states, then choose Brandon Presley or anyone associated with the Democrat party to govern Mississippi.

Of the Democrats that run for Gov wonder how many will be living in the Democrat controlled inner city Jackson, MS where crime is rampant and innocent children were killed with stray bullets?

Malcom X was dead on correct 6 or so decades ago when he stated “that white person that you see calling himself a liberal (today its progressive Democrat) is the most dangerous thing in the entire Western Hemisphere.”

Anonymous said...

why should we care about the the governor's race in 3 years? lots of governing needs to happen before 2027 - much more light needs to shine on the legislative branch in that time.

Anonymous said...

Can you name a Republican controlled city (suburbs don't count)?

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't worry about Mississippi turning blue just yet. Decades of GOP control have successfully run most college educated young people out of the state, who we know are far more likely to vote Democrat. And no need to worry about those pesky growing, prosperous cities with their purple or blue tendencies, as we don't have any of those.

Anonymous said...

I'm with 8:25. It is too soon for this. 7 months into their new terms and they are chasing their next job instead of taking care of state business.

Anonymous said...

Most likely Mississippi return to a Blue State. The next census will likely show that immigrants are the largest minorit minority in this state And whites are now a minitory in Mississippi as well as the United State as a whole.

Relative to Mississippi.

Most likely you haven't spent a minute studying the numbers.

Most likely you are talking out of your rear end.

Most likely you are completely wrong.

Anonymous said...

What learned scholars we have commenting this AM. We have very few illegal immigrants in MS and little incentive for them to come here given our relatively low wages.

And for the "Decades of GOP control" person, MS didn't have a GOP majority in the legislature until 2011, and the majority of statewide offices didn't flip to GOP until 2004.

Facts are stubborn things.

Anonymous said...

2027 Mississippi candidates: The odds are good that the goods will be odd!

Anonymous said...

This presidential election will have more impact on our next gubernatorial election than ever before. Whichever party wins the white house will take the blame for the inevitable economic bloodbath we face, even in Mississippi. Neither candidate, especially Kamala have any clue about digging us out of the worthless dollar depression they are busy creating.

Anonymous said...

If the only choice we will have are those listed above, I hope my dog is still alive on election day so I can write him in.

Anonymous said...

I think the Democrats should nominate Hoseman. His agenda and views seem to align more with theirs. Since they don’t seem to be able to find candidates who can win State office, why not? If he supports much of their agenda, who cares what letter follows his name. One advantage for him would be in avoiding the expense and risk in a Republican primary free for all.

Anonymous said...

Delbert is not so much a Democrat sympathizer as he is a classic finger-in-the-wind politician (but who among them isn't?).

Anonymous said...

Delbert will be to old by the. At 81. Lynn and Shad will take each other out . The billionaire has the baggage any billionaire would have and his faith would be a problem in this State. Andy was on Gallo yesterday Sounded like he is t all in and has to pray about it. I’m going g for the businessman Darkhorse Gerard Gibert

Anonymous said...

Gipson would be a damn good Governor or Lt Governor.

Anonymous said...

The governor in Mississippi doesn’t have that much power. The Lt. governor as the head of the senate controls the appointment of the heads of the committees which gives him/her control of all legislation. That’s where the real power is.

Anonymous said...

To answer your question, 8:38 a.m., only 10 of the top 50 cities by population in the country have Republican mayors. They are:
• Dallas (#9 in population)
• Fort Worth (#15)
• Oklahoma City (#23)
• Fresno (#35)
• Mesa, Ariz. (#37)
• Omaha (#41)
• Virginia Beach (#43)
• Miami (#45)
• Tulsa (#48)
• Bakersfield, Calif. (#49)

Another 4 cities in the top 50 have independent mayors:
• San Antonio (#7)
• Honolulu (#11)
• Las Vegas (#26)
• Colorado Springs (#40)

The other 36 are all Democrats.

Anonymous said...

Gipson is as loony as Chris McDaniel.

Anonymous said...

Delbert is a traditional Republican, as opposed to the bat-s#!t crazy variety we have now. Until about 20 years ago, there was still room in the GOP for fiscally conservative and socially moderate, common-sense Republicans willing to reach across the aisle and compromise. The Tea Party, followed by the MAGA minions, have ensured that these Republicans -- along with political civility -- are no longer welcome in the modern GOP.

Anonymous said...

8:38 AM suburbs have to count since the burbs are where those wanting a safe environment for their families go (including many elite Democrats that won’t even live in their own party controlled cities).

While Netflix is run by leftists, there is a good doc “Fear City” that gives insight in to how crime ridden and corrupt New York City was after 20 years of Democrat mayors. 20 years of Republican/Independent Mayors turned NYC into much safer city but fruit cake freak show Democrat de Blasio and Democrat Eric Adams have used the tried and true Democrat tactic of chaos and crime to make sure enough voters flee into order to keep control of yet another US major city.

Steve said...

Gibson might be a good Governor but he needs to lose the 20 gallon hat and drop the Goober impersonation.

Anonymous said...

I don't know. I only believe what them folk on the TV tell me.

Anonymous said...

It seems to me that ole Salter is slobbering at the mouth at the prospect of a Democrat revival.

Anonymous said...

10:55, I have not researched Delbert enough to agree with you completely. But I do agree that my Republican party has become an utter shit show.
I miss Regan types and hoped DeSantis would be our candidate.

Alas, the majority (on both sides of the aisle) is addicted to the extreme, so more hate and gridlock to punish us peons.
While the political lords on both sides flourish.
Such is life now.

Anonymous said...

10:55. In. In view of Hoseman’s support for Medicaid expansion, I don’t see how he could be thought to be fiscally conservative. As for expanding already expensive and expanding social programs, I don’t see how that is a conservative idea in view of the fact that we can’t afford the ones we have in place, especially the federal programs. If he is a conservative, he can only be of that soft focus kind that the Bushes represented. And look where that got us.

Anonymous said...

The first comment is looney tunes. Immigrants can't vote until they become citizens. The commenter is showing ignorance about how we must register to vote in MS or else is too damn old and senile to remember what was required and now it's harder, not easier. Immigrants can't vote in any state. Pick one that you think would allow a non-citizen to vote and pull up the actual law. God save us from lazy and or stupid!

Anonymous said...

God save us from your mindless spin. Non-citizens are voting all over this country regardless of legality.


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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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