This week as the Neshoba County Fair is underway, the Magnolia State will see firsthand an indication of the gubernatorial lineup for 2027. As I’m fully aware, we just got over the municipal elections this year, qualifying for 2027 will be just a year from next January. It is of this writer’s opinion that we can see a repeat of 1987. The only exception will be the heated race will be in the Republican primary where in 1987 it was the Democratic primary. With Gov. Tate Reeves term limited after two terms will be an open gubernatorial race. The early indication is that it will be a crowded primary, already Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson has announced he’s running and is displaying his gubernatorial signs this week at the Neshoba County Fair. Also mentioned is Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, State Auditor Shad White, Attorney General Lynn Fitch, and Tommy Duff who is a billionaire businessman. There could be more names added the closer we get to the qualifying time of January 2027. If the current statewide office holders make the move to the top of the ticket it will also set the stage for some down the ticket open seats that could make for crowded races.
Back to 1987 the crowded gubernatorial race featured many candidates for governor including then State Auditor Ray Mabus who was the eventual winner and Delta businessman Mike Sturdivant who went into the runoff that year.
In 1987, when 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.
As the dust settles from the Neshoba County Fair speeches this week, we have a better indication of the candidates and possible additional candidates that will make for a very interesting primary in 2027 to succeed Governor Reeves.
Ken Strachan serves as the mayor of North Carrollton, is a member of the Mississippi Municipal League’s board of directors and serves as the president of the North Central Mayor’s Association.
