Mississippi 2027 Election Candidates Begin Announcing Campaigns

Shake-up expected in Republican lineup as current office-holders eye higher offices

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:40am

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring overlapping, fractured geometric shapes and waves of color in shades of blue, red, and white, conceptually representing the competitive and fast-paced nature of the upcoming Mississippi elections.The 2027 Mississippi elections promise a high-energy political landscape as candidates from both parties vie for statewide offices.Jackson Today

Candidates are making their campaigns official for Mississippi's 2027 statewide elections, with new announcements happening less than a week after lawmakers leave the Capitol. Republican analyst Austin Barbour said a lot of discussions happen behind the scenes before it gets to that point, and Mississippi College political science professor Dr. Glenn J. Antizzo said the potential movement of current office-holders creates a shake-up in the lineup, particularly on the Republican side.

Why it matters

The 2027 Mississippi elections will determine the state's top leadership positions, including governor and lieutenant governor. With a large number of Republican candidates expected to run, the primary election will be a key battleground that could shape the direction of the state for years to come.

The details

Andy Gipson has announced for governor and Michael Watson for lieutenant governor. Several other current statewide office-holders are rumored to join Gipson on the Republican ticket for governor. Former Speaker of the House Philip Gunn is expected to announce for governor next week. Antizzo said the Democrats will have an uphill climb, having "shot the three best bullets they had in their holster" with unsuccessful runs by Espy, Presley, and Hood.

  • Candidates are making their campaigns official less than a week after lawmakers leave the Capitol.
  • Gipson and Watson have already announced their campaigns.
  • Gunn is expected to announce for governor next week.
  • The Republican primary election is scheduled for August 2027.

The players

Andy Gipson

Announced candidate for Mississippi governor in the 2027 election.

Michael Watson

Announced candidate for Mississippi lieutenant governor in the 2027 election.

Philip Gunn

Former Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives, expected to announce a campaign for governor in 2027.

Austin Barbour

Republican political analyst.

Glenn J. Antizzo

Professor of political science at Mississippi College.

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What they’re saying

“The announcement is just a culmination of all that work… and sort of putting yourself out there for voters.”

— Austin Barbour, Republican analyst

“There is a little bit of a Pez dispenser dynamic...you pull it out, and then the others snap up. There is a bit of that dynamic, particularly on the Republican side, because they do so dominate the executive branch of state government here.”

— Glenn J. Antizzo, Professor of political science, Mississippi College

“They used to say you could have a Republican primary and a phone booth. Well, not anymore. That was the 70s and the 80s. Now, the Republican primary is hundreds of thousands of voters, and it'll be really interesting to see who they coalesce around as we move towards primary election day in August of 2027.”

— Austin Barbour, Republican analyst

“With running Espy unsuccessfully, running Presley unsuccessfully, and Jim Hood unsuccessfully, they have shot the three best bullets they had in their holster. The Democrats have an uphill climb.”

— Glenn J. Antizzo, Professor of political science, Mississippi College

What’s next

Voters should prepare for an onslaught of campaign advertising as the 2027 election season ramps up. The Republican primary election is scheduled for August 2027, which will be a key battleground for the party's nomination.

The takeaway

The 2027 Mississippi elections are shaping up to be a highly competitive and consequential race, with a large number of Republican candidates expected to vie for the party's nomination. The potential movement of current office-holders into higher offices creates a shake-up in the political landscape, while the Democrats face an uphill battle to regain statewide relevance.