Tate Reeves

{{Infobox officeholder

| image = Gov. Tate Reeves Signs House Bill 1486 (cropped).jpg

| caption = Reeves in 2022

| order = 65th Governor of Mississippi

| lieutenant = Delbert Hosemann

| term_start = January 14, 2020

| term_end =

| predecessor = Phil Bryant

| successor =

| office2 = 32nd Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi

| governor2 = Phil Bryant

| term_start2 = January 10, 2012

| term_end2 = January 14, 2020

| predecessor2 = Phil Bryant

| successor2 = Delbert Hosemann

| office3 = 53rd Treasurer of Mississippi

| governor3 = Haley Barbour

| term_start3 = January 13, 2004

| term_end3 = January 10, 2012

| predecessor3 = Peyton Prospere

| successor3 = Lynn Fitch

| birth_name = Jonathan Tate Reeves

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|6|5}}

| birth_place = Florence, Mississippi, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Republican

| spouse = {{marriage|Elee Williams|November 24, 2001}}{{cite tweet|number=1198712273386250242|user=tatereeves|title=Eighteen years ago, we had no idea we would begin today on a soccer field after 12 times on the ballot, 5 elections… |date=November 24, 2019}}

| children = 3

| residence = Governor's Mansion

| education = Millsaps College (BA)

| website = {{URL|https://governorreeves.ms.gov|Government website}}

| otherparty =

| module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Tate Reeves on the response to the 2023 Rolling Fork–Silver City tornado.ogg|title=Tate Reeves's voice|type=speech|description=Tate Reeves on the response to the 2023 Rolling Fork–Silver City tornado.
Recorded March 31, 2023}}

}}

Jonathan Tate Reeves (born June 5, 1974) is an American politician serving as the 65th governor of Mississippi since 2020. A member of the Republican Party, Reeves served as the 32nd lieutenant governor of Mississippi from 2012 to 2020 and as the 53rd treasurer of Mississippi from 2004 to 2012.

Born in Florence, Mississippi, Reeves graduated from Florence High School in 1992 and Millsaps College in 1996. After receiving his degree in economics, he became a Chartered Financial Analyst. He began work at Park South Corporation, leaving in 2000 to become a financial portfolio manager at Trustmark.

Reeves entered the race for Mississippi state treasurer after Democratic incumbent Marshall G. Bennett announced he would not run. In the Republican primary runoff, he defeated former Central District Transportation Commissioner Wayne Burkes. In the general election, he defeated Democratic nominee Gary Anderson. He won reelection in 2007 and went on to become lieutenant governor in 2012, holding the position until his inauguration as governor.

Reeves was chosen as his party's nominee in the 2019 Mississippi gubernatorial election, defeating former state Supreme Court Justice Bill Waller Jr. and State Representative Robert Foster. In the general election, he narrowly defeated Attorney General Jim Hood. During his tenure, Reeves has changed the state flag, removed COVID-19 restrictions earlier than many of his fellow state governors, opposed vaccine requirements, and legalized medical cannabis. He was narrowly reelected in 2023, defeating Brandon Presley.

Early life and education

Tate Reeves was born on June 5, 1974.{{cite web | url=https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/253867/Jonathan_Tate_Reeves.html | title=Tate Reeves - Biography from LegiStorm }} A native of Rankin County, Mississippi,Adam Ganucheau, [https://mississippitoday.org/2019/07/29/rankin-county-kingmaker-hometown-boy-tate-reeves-not-a-sure-thing-in-runoff-with-bill-waller/ Rankin County 'kingmaker': Hometown boy Tate Reeves not a sure thing in runoff with Bill Waller], Mississippi Today (July 29, 2019). Reeves is the eldest son of Terry Reeves and Dianne Peeples.Adam Ganucheau, [https://mississippitoday.org/2019/04/09/im-very-proud-today-the-man-behind-the-tate-reeves-rise-to-power/ 'I'm very proud today': The man behind Tate Reeves' rise to power], Mississippi Today (April 9, 2019). Reeves's father founded a heating and air conditioning company in 1975 that became a multi-million-dollar business. Reeves graduated from Florence High School in Florence.Emily Wagster Pettus, [https://apnews.com/article/oddities-us-news-tate-reeves-mississippi-ms-state-wire-9bea8629b94a6661497de7e3c063309a Mississippi gov is pranked in shout-out to high school grads], Associated Press (May 20, 2020). He then graduated from Millsaps College in Jackson{{cite news |last1=Bologna |first1=Giacomo |title=Tate Reeves thrust into national controversy over racist frat photos. |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2019/02/08/tate-reeves-racist-frat-party-ka-millsaps-college-yearbook-photos/2811021002/|work=The Clarion-Ledger |date=February 8, 2019}} with a degree in economics.Gary Perilloux, [https://www.djournal.com/news/reeves-takes-an-early-shot-at-political-office/article_d9774cea-1014-5275-a848-a7cd25f81c57.html Reeves takes an early shot at political office], Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (October 25, 2003). He played college basketball for two years before injuring his shoulder.

At Millsaps College, Reeves was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order, a controversial fraternity that has faced accusations of racism.{{cite news |last1=Pittman |first1=Ashton |title=Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves' Fraternity Wore Black Face, Hurled the N-Word at Black Students |url=https://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2019/feb/08/lt-gov-tate-reeves-fraternity-wore-black-face-hurl/ |access-date=June 25, 2021 |work=Jackson Free Press |date=February 8, 2019 |language=en}} In 2019, yearbook photos surfaced showing members in blackface and Confederate uniforms, but it is unclear whether Reeves was involved.{{cite news |last1=Terkel |first1=Amanda |title=Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Was Member Of College Fraternity Under Fire For Racism |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mississippi-lieutenant-governor-tate-reeves-kappa-alpha_n_5c5c86e7e4b0e01e32aa6919 |access-date=June 25, 2021 |work=HuffPost |date=February 8, 2019 |language=en}}

Early career

After graduating from college in 1996, Reeves became a Chartered Financial Analyst. He worked at Park South Corporation, a subsidiary of the Deposit Guaranty National Bank, which eventually merged into AmSouth. In 2000, Reeves moved to Trustmark National Bank, where he was a financial portfolio manager until 2003, when he resigned to run for state treasurer.

Mississippi state treasurer (2004–2012)

Reeves sought the post of Mississippi state treasurer in the 2003 election; it was an open seat, as Democratic incumbent Marshall G. Bennett was retiring.Ashton Pittman, [https://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2019/mar/11/tate-reeves-2003-victory-all-about-race-critics-sa/ Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves' 2003 Victory over Gary Anderson 'All About Race,' Critics Say], Jackson Free Press (March 11, 2019). In the 2003 Republican primary election, Reeves faced former Central District Transportation Commissioner Wayne Burkes of Brandon and State Representative Andrew Ketchings of Natchez.Bobby Harrison, [https://www.djournal.com/news/outgoing-treasurer-bennett-honored/article_d263647e-7cf0-541a-b852-a43dae742452.html Outgoing treasurer Bennett honored], Daily Journal (June 25, 2003). In the Republican primary election, Reeves led with 49% of the vote, with Burkes in second place.{{cite news|title=Anderson, Reeves out to early leads in treasurer primaries|newspaper=The Sun Herald}} Because no candidate achieved a majority, Reeves and Burkes had a runoff election; Reeves defeated Burkes in the runoff, which had low turnout.Emily Wagster Pettus, [https://www.gwcommonwealth.com/archives/anderson-reeves-win-nominations-treasurer#sthash.yid5no5a.dpbs Anderson, Reeves Win Nominations For Treasurer], Greenwood Commonwealth (August 26, 2003)

In the general election, Reeves defeated Democratic nominee Gary Anderson, the state director of finance and administration, 52% to 46%.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rMROAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rg4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6719,3447079|title=Race may have been factor in Miss. elections|last=Byrd|first=Sheila Hardwell|agency=Associated Press|work=The Ocala Star-Banner| date=November 6, 2003}} Anderson has substantially more experience than Reeves, but Reeves's campaign raised and spent substantially more money. Observers also cited racial prejudice (Anderson is African American) as another factor that may have contributed to Anderson's loss. Reeves's father contributed $115,000 to his campaign, about one-fifth of its fundraising total.

Reeves's election made him the first Republican to hold the position of Mississippi state treasurer,Sid Salter, [https://www.clarionledger.com/story/opinion/columnists/2018/10/03/tate-reeves-jim-hood-race-old-school-political-street-brawl/1509222002/ Tate Reeves, Jim Hood race will be an old school, political street brawl], Clarion ledger (October 3, 2018). as well as the youngest statewide elected official in the modern history of the state.

In 2007, Reeves won reelection with about 60% of the vote, defeating Democratic candidate Shawn O'Hara.

Lieutenant governor of Mississippi (2012–2020)

In February 2011, Reeves entered the race for lieutenant governor. In the August Republican primary, he defeated Mississippi State Senate president pro tempore Billy Hewes of Gulfport,{{cite news|url=https://www.deseret.com/2011/2/7/20172259/reeves-launches-gop-campaign-for-miss-lt-gov|title=Reeves launches campaign for lt. gov|agency=Associated Press|date=February 6, 2011}} 123,389 votes to 162,857.{{cite report|url=https://www.sos.ms.gov/Elections/electionResults/State%20Repulican%20Party%20Primary%202011%20Cert.pdf|publisher=Mississippi Secretary of State|title=August 2, 2011 Primary Election Results: Republican Primary (Certified)}} In the November general election, he was elected lieutenant governor, succeeding Phil Bryant, who was elected to his first term as governor. Reeves ran without Democratic opposition; he received 80.35% of the vote; Reform Party candidate Tracella Lou O'Hara Hill received 19.65%.{{cite report|url=https://www.sos.ms.gov/links/elections/results/statewide/Lt%20Governor_Statewide%20-%20General%20Election%202011%20Results.pdf|publisher=Mississippi Secretary of State|title=Official Tabulation of Vote for State Office of Lieutenant Governor|date=2011}}

As lieutenant governor, Reeves was president of the state Senate, and he used his position to prevent Medicaid expansion from receiving a floor vote,Bobby Harrison, [https://www.mississippicir.org/news/senate-republicans-reject-plan-to-expand-medicaid-provide-health-care-coverage-to-300000-more-mississippians Senate Republicans reject plan to expand Medicaid, provide health care coverage to 300,000 more Mississippians], Mississippi Today (February 10, 2021). and to block an increase in the gas tax to fund repairs to roads and to Mississippi's many structurally deficient bridges.[https://apnews.com/article/8565a631c6cb4a4882f753d5974a4b5d The Latest: Lt. governor says no to increasing gas tax], Associated Press (April 12, 2018).

File:Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves visits the 172nd Airlift Wing.jpg in 2015]]

Reeves won reelection as lieutenant governor on November 3, 2015, defeating three opponents, including state Senator Timothy L. Johnson, a Republican-turned-Democrat.{{cite web|url=https://www.wlox.com/story/30428879/tate-reeves-reelected-as-mississippi-lt-governor/|title=Tate Reeves re-elected as Mississippi Lt. Governor|date=November 3, 2015|publisher=WLOX}}

Governor of Mississippi (2020–present)

=Elections=

==2019 election==

Reeves ran for governor of Mississippi in the 2019 election.{{cite web|title=The Latest: GOP's Reeves files for Mississippi governor|url=https://apnews.com/article/275e41721b9147b7be9f94ace65bea3c|work=Associated Press|date=January 3, 2019}} He was the favorite to win the nomination.{{Cite news |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2019/08/07/election-results-mississippi-governor-race-heading-runoff/1899155001/ |title=Tate Reeves, Bill Waller head to runoff for Republican governor primary |last1=Bologna |first1=Giacomo |date=2019-08-07 |work=Jackson Clarion-Ledger |access-date=2019-08-07 |last2=Ramseth |first2=Luke |language=en}} He enjoyed substantial name recognition from his 16 years in statewide office, and had a significant fundraising advantage over his rivals for the Republican nomination, former state Supreme Court Justice Bill Waller Jr. and Robert Foster, a first-term member of the state House.

During the primary race, three former state Republican party chairs endorsed Waller (who was viewed as more pragmatist), while outgoing governor Phil Bryant, former governor Haley Barbour, and Chris McDaniel endorsed Reeves (who was viewed as more conservative).Stephen D. Shaffer, "Mississippi: Republican Hegemony Persists" in The 2020 Presidential Election in the South. Eds. Scott E. Buchanan & Branwell Dubose Kapeluck. (Lexington Books, 2021), p. 113. Reeves strongly opposed Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act,Richard Fausset, [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/06/us/mississippi-governor-election.html Mississippi Governor Primary: Republican Favorite Is Forced Into Runoff], New York Times (August 6, 2019). which he disparaged as the "Obamacare expansion."{{Cite magazine|title=How Mississippi's Governor Undermined Efforts to Contain the Coronavirus|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/how-mississippis-governor-undermined-efforts-to-contain-the-coronavirus|last=Moser|first=Bob|magazine=The New Yorker|language=en|date=April 7, 2020}} This position contrasted with that of Waller and Foster, who supported a version of Medicaid expansion to benefit Mississippi's rural hospitals, almost half of which were close to bankruptcy before the COVID-19 pandemic. Reeves also opposed increasing the gas tax to fund road and bridge repairs, while Waller supported it. Reeves said that "radical liberals" were attacking "Mississippi's culture and Mississippi's values."

In the Republican primary, Reeves and Waller finished in first and second place, respectively. Because no candidate won a majority of the total vote, Reeves and Waller proceeded to a runoff election. Reeves won the nomination in the runoff.{{cite web|last1=Lee|first1=Jasmine C.|last2=Andre|first2=Mike|last3=White|first3=Isaac|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/27/us/elections/results-mississippi-primary-runoff-election.html|title=Mississippi Primary Runoff Election Results|agency=Associated Press|work=The New York Times|date=August 27, 2019|access-date=August 27, 2019}}

File:Tate Reeves in Tupelo.jpg

During his 2019 campaign for governor, Reeves touted the support of Donald Trump,Emily Wagster Pettus, [https://apnews.com/article/6122908f94924e59a8c782aa505e200d Mississippi governor candidate Reeves decries 'liberals'], Associated Press (April 8, 2019). who carried the state in 2016 and 2020.[https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-mississippi-jackson-d429bab284d3747522660e560a66de5b Trump again wins Mississippi, with its 6 electoral votes], Associated Press (November 3, 2020). Reeves promised, "If I'm elected governor, I will work for President Trump." Trump, his vice president Mike Pence, and his son Donald Trump Jr. all campaigned for Reeves in Mississippi in 2019. At a rally in Tupelo days before the 2019 election, the elder Trump promoted Reeves's candidacy while assailing the impeachment inquiry against him over the Trump–Ukraine scandal.Adam Ganucheau, Kayleigh Skinner and Bobby Harrison, [https://mississippitoday.org/2019/11/01/at-trump-rally-in-tupelo-impeachment-inquiry-steals-spotlight-from-tate-reeves-and-governors-race/ At Trump rally in Tupelo, impeachment inquiry steals spotlight from Tate Reeves, governor's race], Mississippi Today (November 1, 2019).Luke Ramseth & Giacomo Bologna, [https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2019/11/01/trump-rally-tupelo-ms-president-stumps-mississippi-tate-reeves/4084316002/ Trump rally in Tupelo MS: Here's what the president said about Reeves, Hood], Mississippi Clarion Ledger (November 1, 2019).

Reeves defeated the Democratic nominee, state Attorney General Jim Hood, in the November general election.{{Cite news |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2019/11/05/tate-reeves-wins-mississippi-governor-race-defeats-jim-hood/4159647002/ |title=Republican Tate Reeves wins Mississippi governor race |first1=Luke|last1=Ramseth|first2=Giacomo|last2=Balogna|date=2019-11-05 |work=Mississippi Clarion Ledger |access-date=2019-11-06 |language=en-US}}Adam Ganucheau & Bobby Harrison, [https://mississippitoday.org/2019/11/06/tate-reeves-defeats-jim-hood-secures-republican-sweep-of-statewide-offices/ Tate Reeves defeats Jim Hood, secures Republican sweep of statewide offices], Mississippi Today (November 6, 2019). Republicans won all eight statewide offices in 2019, a first in Mississippi history. The election was Mississippi's first competitive election for governor since 2003. Reeves received 459,396 votes to Hood's 414,368.[https://www.sos.ms.gov/elections-voting/election-results/2019-election-results/2019-general-election 2019 General Election Official Statewide Recapitulation], Mississippi Secretary of State. He took office on January 14, 2020.Emily Wagster Pettus, [https://apnews.com/article/30789ed67065c05edc9a534cea9ffdef New Gov. Tate Reeves pledges to work 'for all Mississippi'], Associated Press (January 14, 2020).

==2023 election==

On November 7, 2023, Reeves defeated the Democratic nominee, Brandon Presley, in the 2023 Mississippi gubernatorial election, winning reelection to a second term.{{cite web |title=Mississippi Governor Live Election Results 2023: Tate Reeves takes on Brandon Presley |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2023-elections/mississippi-governor-results |website=www.nbcnews.com}}{{cite web |last1=Tanneeru |first1=Manav |title=2023 Elections {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/election/2023 |website=CNN |language=en}} Presley conceded to Reeves after unofficial results showed him losing.{{cite web |title=Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves re-elected |url=https://www.wjtv.com/news/election/mississippi-gov-tate-reeves-re-elected/#:~:text=JACKSON%2C%20Miss.,conceded%20to%20Reeves%20Tuesday%20night. |website=WJTV |date=8 November 2023}}

File:Gov Tate Reeves Inauguration.jpg

=Confederate iconography=

In June 2020, amid the George Floyd protests, debate arose about whether to change the flag of Mississippi, which featured Confederate insignia. Reeves initially said that the flag should be changed only by voter-approved referendum,{{cite news |last=Williams|first=Angela|date=8 June 2020 |title=Governor: Mississippi flag should be changed by the people, not group of politicians|url=https://www.wapt.com/article/governor-mississippi-flag-should-be-changed-by-the-people-not-group-of-politicians/32803551|work= WAPT News|location=On the World Wide Web |access-date=September 28, 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Pender |first1=Geoff |last2=Skinner |first2=Kayleigh |title=Gov. Tate Reeves: If Legislature passes bill to change state flag, 'I will sign it' |url=https://mississippitoday.org/2020/06/27/gov-tate-reeves-if-legislature-passes-bill-to-change-state-flag-i-will-sign-it/ |website=Mississippi Today |access-date=August 2, 2020 |date=27 June 2020}} but later reversed himself, saying that if the Mississippi legislature passed a bill to retire the flag without a referendum, he would sign it. On June 28, 2020, the legislature voted to change the flag, 91 to 23 in the House and 37 to 14 in the Senate.{{cite web |last1=Madani |first1=Doha |last2=Stelloh |first2=Tim |title=Mississippi Legislature passes bill to eliminate Confederate symbol from state flag |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mississippi-legislature-passes-bill-eliminate-confederate-symbol-state-flag-n1232369 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=2 August 2020 |language=en |date=28 June 2020}} Reeves signed the legislation two days later, removing the last state flag to display a Confederate symbol.{{cite web |last1=Pettus |first1=Emily Wagster |title=With a pen stroke, Mississippi drops Confederate-themed flag |url=https://apnews.com/f25b1fd65fd9ae48c152f026016603eb |work=Associated Press News|date=30 June 2020}}

=COVID-19=

Amid the acceleration of the COVID-19 pandemic, Reeves was accused{{by whom|date=August 2024}} of undermining efforts to contain the spread of the virus. In early 2020, he closed schools, declared a state of emergency, and told people to trust in the "power of prayer", but did little to combat COVID-19 transmission. In March 2020, Reeves issued an order deeming most public places to be "essential services."Christine Hauser, [https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/us/mississippi-coronavirus-essential-businesses-tate-reeves.html Mississippi Governor Clarifies Order Defining Most Businesses as Essential], New York Times (March 26, 2020).Adam Ganusheau, [https://www.sunherald.com/news/politics-government/article241524861.html Mayors scramble to know: Does Gov. Reeves' coronavirus declaration clash with local orders?], Mississippi Today (March 26, 2020). His order prompted substantial criticism, largely because it clashed with previously issued local orders and caused confusion as to whether the order overrode local leaders' decisions to order the closures of businesses and other public places.{{cite web | title=Mississippi Churches, Stores Reopen As Governor Overrides Mayors' COVID-19 Orders | website=Mississippi Free Press| date=2020-03-26 | url=https://www.mississippifreepress.com/mississippi-governor-overrides-mayors-covid-19.html | access-date=2020-03-27}} Leaders of many of Mississippi's largest cities and counties criticized Reeves's order. The mayor of Tupelo said that Reeves had engaged in an "abdication of leadership." Days later, Reeves issued an amended order, clarifying that his previous order was not intended to interfere with local governments' decisions.

Reeves implemented a "stay-at-home" order in April 2020, but allowed some retail businesses to reopen shortly thereafter.{{Cite web|title=Mississippi governor reconsiders reopening state after its largest spike of COVID-19 deaths and cases|url=https://gma.yahoo.com/mississippi-governor-reconsiders-reopening-state-largest-spike-covid-151436017--abc-news-topstories.html|work=Good Morning America|publisher=ABC News|date=May 2, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In early May 2020, Mississippi had its largest spike of coronavirus deaths and cases up to that point. It had another sharp uptick in COVID-19 cases and deaths in November 2020.Emily Wagster Pettus, [https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-mississippi-jackson-media-tate-reeves-debf32cc1afaeaee4fcb1926b89f92ee Mississippi governor says his youngest daughter has COVID-19], Associated Press (November 10, 2020). In December 2020, although Reeves urged the public to avoid large gatherings to prevent the further spread of the virus, his office invited legislators and other officials to at least three holiday parties at the Governor's Mansion.Jaclyn Peiser, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/12/09/reeves-mississippi-christmas-party-covid/ Mississippi's governor limited gatherings in the state. But he's still inviting legislators to holiday parties.], Washington Post (December 9, 2020).Leah Willingham, [https://apnews.com/article/mississippi-tate-reeves-coronavirus-pandemic-christmas-82756b027e93da250d5ea948498e375b Mississippi governor defends hosting parties amid virus], Associated Press (December 9, 2020).

Except for August 4 through September 30, 2020, Reeves did not issue a statewide mask mandate in the state, setting only county-by-county mandates in locations with rapid increases in infections. Of the state's 82 counties, 16 were under a mask mandate in November 2020, when the mandates expired. Effective April 30, 2021, Reeves ended COVID-19 restrictions (with the exception of the school mask mandate) through May 31, 2021. For the 2021–2022 school year, he did not reinstate the mask mandate.{{cite news |last1=Stribling |first1=Will |title=Gov. Reeves ends previous COVID-19 restrictions, keeps school mask mandate |url=https://mississippitoday.org/2021/04/30/gov-reeves-ends-previous-covid-19-restrictions-keeps-school-mask-mandate/ |access-date=June 25, 2021 |work=Mississippi Today |date=April 30, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Angela |title=Governor's executive order sets end date for school mask mandate |url=https://www.wapt.com/article/governors-executive-order-sets-end-date-for-school-mask-mandate/36303947|agency=WAPT |date=April 30, 2021}}Emily Wagster Pettus & Leah Willingham, [https://apnews.com/article/mississippi-tate-reeves-coronavirus-pandemic-6453bceb131a135cb65cba8f7ae01274 Mississippi governor: Masks recommended but not mandated], Associated Press (March 2, 2021). At a political rally in July 2021, he called the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations on indoor face coverings "foolish" and "harmful".[https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-health-coronavirus-pandemic-mississippi-3e0cedc45f32e7637c297ba8703f639c Mississippi governor says CDC mask guidance is 'foolish'], Associated Press (July 29, 2021).

When a COVID-19 vaccine was made widely available, Reeves opposed vaccine requirements.{{Cite web|author=Devan Cole|title=Mississippi GOP governor pushes back on vaccine passports: 'I don't think it's a good thing to do in America'|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/04/politics/tate-reeves-vaccine-passports-cnntv/index.html|date=April 4, 2021|publisher=CNN}}{{Cite web|last=Haselhorst|first=Sarah|title='I don't think it's necessary': Mississippi governor admonishes vaccine passports|url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2021/04/06/vaccine-passports-arent-good-u-s-mississippi-governor-says/7089255002/|date=April 6, 2021|website=The Clarion-Ledger}} Mississippi had one of the lowest vaccination rates among U.S. states,Melina Delkic, [https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/06/world/mississippi-covid-vaccination-rate.html Mississippi has the country's lowest vaccination rates. The governor says that’s not a problem.], New York Times (June 6, 2021). a fact Reeves downplayed. After President Joe Biden used his authority under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act to require federal workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to require all employers with more than 100 workers to require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive weekly testing, Reeves called the mandate "tyranny" and an "attack on hardworking Americans."{{Cite web|date=2021-09-19|title=Tate Reeves: Biden vaccine mandate an 'attack on hardworking Americans'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/19/mississippi-governor-tate-reeves-biden-covid-vaccine-mandate|access-date=2021-09-19|website=the Guardian|language=en}}{{Cite web|author=Leah Willingham|url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-health-coronavirus-pandemic-mississippi-tate-reeves-546dfb92122b16daa903622c59e92032|title=Mississippi governor calls Biden vaccine mandate 'tyranny'|work=Associated Press News|date=September 10, 2020}} Biden responded by calling Reeves's remark "the worst kind of politics", referencing the 660,000 COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. up to that point and noting that "in Mississippi, children are required to be vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis B, polio, tetanus and more."Angela Williams, [https://www.wapt.com/article/president-takes-on-mississippi-governor-over-vaccine-mandates/37632964# President takes on Mississippi governor over vaccine mandates], WAPT (September 17, 2021).Josh Carter, [https://www.wdam.com/2021/09/16/war-words-between-tate-reeves-joe-biden-continues-escalate/?outputType=apps The war of words between Tate Reeves and Joe Biden continues to escalate], WDAM (September 16, 2021). Reeves joined a Republican-led lawsuit against Biden's plan.Kobee Vance, [https://www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/governor-tate-reeves-announces-lawsuit-to-challenge-biden-administration-vaccine-mandate/ Governor Tate Reeves announces lawsuit to challenge Biden administration vaccine mandate], Mississippi Public Broadcasting (September 14, 2021).

In August 2021, Reeves argued that Mississippi Christians were "less scared" because "when you believe in eternal life—when you believe that living on this earth is but a blip on the screen, then you don't have to be so scared of things."{{Cite web|author=Ashton Pittman|title=Mississippi Passes NY's COVID Death Rate; Reeves Says Residents 'Less Scared'|url=https://www.mississippifreepress.org/15321/mississippi-passes-nys-covid-death-rate-as-gov-reeves-says-mississippians-a-little-less-scared/|date=August 28, 2021|website=Mississippi Free Press}}{{Cite web|author=Emily Wagster Pettus|title=Mississippi governor: Christians are 'less scared' of COVID|url=https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-mississippi-1cca0c4ed4188e0a21bcf4750735050a|work=Associated Press News|date=August 30, 2021}} That month, Mississippi had the nation's highest rate of COVID-19 cases and deaths per capita.

During COVID-19, Mississippi suffered a shortage of hospital workers (in particular nurses). Reeves declined to call a special session of the legislature to allocate the state's $1.8 billion share of federal COVID-19 relief funds to address the crisis.Blake Alsup, [https://www.djournal.com/news/state-news/gov-tate-reeves-wont-call-special-session-to-address-hospital-staffing-shortage/article_1112f6d4-c17e-5bae-b139-319e9f64e397.html Gov. Tate Reeves won't call special session to address hospital staffing shortage], Daily Journal (August 19, 2021).

=Criminal justice and prisons=

In 2020, Reeves vetoed two criminal justice bills that would have expanded parole eligibility for Mississippi prisoners; one would have allowed nonviolent offenders to be considered for parole after serving 25% of their sentence, while the other would allow those convicted of violent crimes to be eligible for parole consideration after completing 50% of their sentence or 20 years, whichever comes first.Leah Willingham, [https://apnews.com/article/3f746fee6681b79ea4cb509dd0d7f05d Mississippi governor vetoes criminal justice bills], Associated Press (July 9, 2020). In 2021, Reeves signed into law a narrower bill that expanded parole eligibility.Emily Wagner Pettus, [https://apnews.com/article/mississippi-government-and-politics-438b225f11ea41775f129dadeafcb961 Mississippi governor agrees to expand possibility of parole], Associated Press (April 22, 2021). He rejected calls to grant a pardon or commutation to Tameka Drummer, a Mississippi inmate serving a life without parole sentence for the possession of less than two ounces of marijuana; Drummer was sentenced in 2008 under the state's habitual-offender law.Tyler Wann, [https://www.mississippicir.org/news/despite-new-state-law-dozens-imprisoned-in-mississippi-for-nonviolent-acts-will-never-get-paroled Despite new state law, dozens imprisoned in Mississippi for nonviolent acts will never get paroled], Mississippi Center For Investigative Reporting (June 28, 2021).Emily Wagster Pettus, [https://apnews.com/article/ms-state-wire-a91ee5242bf74b9717d41802f13046b8 Mississippi gov: No plan for pardon in life sentence for pot], Associated Press (August 31, 2020).

As governor, Reeves faced significant problems with the state's prison system, especially Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman—including widespread, deadly violence and unsanitary, dangerous conditions.Emily Wagster Pettus, [https://apnews.com/article/306505c5b5cee4d796d23837bf2518ff Mississippi governor: Close part of notorious state prison], Associated Press (January 27, 2020). After nine prisoners died in one month at Parchman, Reeves acknowledged that Parchman's conditions were "terrible"; he ordered the closure of part of the complex, as well as other reforms.Emily Wagster Pettus, [https://apnews.com/article/ed91f242afca05f1146ab33abd4df205 Mississippi governor tours prison rocked by deadly violence], Associated Press (January 23, 2020).Hannah Knowles & Marisa Iati, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/01/28/parchman-prison-mississippi-governor/ Nine have died in a month at a notorious Mississippi prison, and the governor has had enough], Washington Post (January 28, 2020). Several hundred inmates were moved from Parchman's infamous "Unit 29" to the privately operated Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility.[https://www.wjtv.com/news/gov-reeves-inmates-being-transferred-out-of-unit-29-at-parchman/ Gov. Reeves: Inmates being transferred out of Unit 29 at Parchman], WJTV (February 19, 2020).Luke Ramseth, [https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2020/02/08/mississippi-governor-tate-reeves-shocked-wasteful-mdoc-spending/4689826002/ Reeves says excessive cars, comp time among wasteful spending at MDOC in recent years], Mississippi Clarion Ledger (February 8, 2020).

=Medical cannabis=

In 2020, Mississippi voters approved (by 70%) a medical marijuana initiative; the state supreme court subsequently invalidated the initiative, holding that it was improperly placed on the ballot.{{cite news |title=Governor 'long way' from deciding on if he'll call special session |url=https://www.wapt.com/article/governor-long-way-from-deciding-on-if-hell-call-special-session/36466681 |access-date=June 25, 2021 |work=WAPT |date=May 18, 2021 |language=en}}Taylor Vance, [https://www.djournal.com/news/state-news/gov-tate-reeves-supports-special-session-for-medical-marijuana/article_5cc940b6-d53f-5cc7-9dbc-96172b0fac89.html Gov. Tate Reeves supports special session for medical marijuana], Daily Journal (June 15, 2021).Emily Wagster Pettus, [https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-marijuana-medical-marijuana-health-1a3e936bf66c05ee4105a1c5368adff8 Gov supports 'will of voters' on issue of medical marijuana], Associated Press (June 7, 2021). Reeves opposed the initiative, but said he would honor "the will of the voters" who had overwhelmingly voted in favor of medical marijuana. On February 2, 2022, he signed the bill into law, making Mississippi the 37th state to legalize medical cannabis.{{cite web |last1=Sanderlin |first1=Lee O. |title=Gov. Tate Reeves signs Mississippi medical marijuana bill into law |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2022/02/02/medical-marijuana-mississippi-legalized-gov-tate-reeves-signs-bill-law/6641911001/ |website=clarionledger.com |publisher=Clarion Ledger |access-date= February 3, 2022}}

=Taxation and budget=

As governor, Reeves pushed legislation to eliminate the state's personal income tax.Emily Wagster Pettus, [https://apnews.com/article/mississippi-coronavirus-pandemic-state-budgets-tate-reeves-0331a5c82bd8a2c7d59c09bac25c89da Mississippi governor proposes phasing out state income tax], Associated Press (November 16, 2020).Emily Wagster Pettus, [https://apnews.com/article/personal-taxes-mississippi-public-opinion-coronavirus-pandemic-tax-reform-0d79c22cd8a338a40b554f721c2d7aef Analysis: Mississippi leaders try big, quick tax changes], Associated Press (February 28, 2021).Emily Wagster Pettus, [https://apnews.com/article/personal-taxes-mississippi-tate-reeves-d9d781967fccb7b08a6a4aadba5c547b Mississippi tax cut plan: Alive, then dead, then alive again], Associated Press (March 16, 2021). The rating agency Fitch raised concerns in November 2021 that his taxation plans were fiscally unfeasible.Bobby Harrison. (21 November 2021). "Key credit rating agency voices concerns about Reeves’ proposed tax cuts, says it is watching". [https://mississippitoday.org/2021/11/21/credit-rating-agency-voices-concerns-about-reeves-tax-cuts/ Mississippi Today website] Retrieved 21 November 2021.

=Labor unions=

In 2024, Reeves joined five other Republican governors (Kay Ivey, Brian Kemp, Henry McMaster, Bill Lee, and Greg Abbott) in a statement opposing the United Auto Workers unionization campaign.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-16 |title=Governor Ivey & Other Southern Governors Issue Joint Statement in Opposition to United Auto Workers (UAW)’s Unionization Campaign |url=https://governor.alabama.gov/newsroom/2024/04/governor-ivey-other-southern-governors-issue-joint-statement-in-opposition-to-united-auto-workers-uaws-unionization-campaign/ |access-date= |website=Office of the Governor of Alabama |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Wayland |first=Michael |date=2024-04-16 |title=Republican governors from six states condemn UAW campaigns, citing potential for layoffs |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/16/republican-governors-condemn-united-auto-workers-campaigns.html |access-date= |website=CNBC |language=en}}

=Welfare funds scandal=

Reeves drew controversy for firing the attorney leading the state's welfare agency lawsuit.{{cite news|url=https://mississippitoday.org/2023/08/21/tate-reeves-welfare-scandal-involvement/|title=What exactly is Gov. Tate Reeves' involvement in the welfare scandal?|publisher=Mississippi Today|date=August 21, 2023|accessdate=November 7, 2023}} His friend Paul Lacoste, a former football player who had become a well-known fitness trainer in Mississippi, was found to have secured a $1.4 million contract for a boot camp fitness program through state welfare funds. NFL legend Brett Favre also lobbied Reeves for the construction of a volleyball stadium at the university his daughter attended, which was funded by state welfare money.

Political positions

=Contraception=

In May 2022, Reeves repeatedly refused to deny that he would ban birth control in Mississippi when questioned by anchor Jake Tapper.{{Citation |title=Watch: Tapper presses Mississippi governor on definition of conception - CNN Video |date=May 8, 2022 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2022/05/08/reeves-on-contraception.cnn |access-date=2022-07-10}} In particular, he refused to rule out banning IUDs, a form of birth control used by 1 in 7 women.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

=Early voting=

In November 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Reeves said he would veto any bill that expanded mail-in voting or no-excuse early voting.{{Cite web|author=Emily Wagster Pettus|title=Mississippi governor says he'd veto mail-in or early voting|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-donald-trump-virus-outbreak-mississippi-elections-91bf0ae8f3722f09b49d76da9c69bc8b|date=November 5, 2020|work=Associated Press News}} Mississippi has some of the most restrictive laws in the U.S. for pre-Election Day voting.

=Education=

Reeves used his 2020 budget proposal to appeal to the conservative base. Echoing Trump, he proposed allocating $3 million to a "Patriotic Education Fund" and said that "across the country, young children have suffered from indoctrination in far-left socialist teachings".Emily Wagster Pettus, [https://apnews.com/article/mississippi-jackson-coronavirus-pandemic-state-budgets-tate-reeves-8d147b68ccb509e1a919f9a5bb0da2bf Analysis: Politics infuse Mississippi governor's budget plan], Associated Press (November 22, 2020). Reeves's budget proposal recommended bonuses for schoolteachers in high-performing or improving schools, but largely ignored his 2019 campaign pledge to boost teacher pay in each year of his term. He proposed teacher raises in the 2022 budget.Bobby Harrison. (15 November 2021). "Gov. Tate Reeves offers his own plan for spending $1.2 billion in federal funds". [https://mississippitoday.org/2021/11/15/tate-reeves-american-rescue-plan-funds/ MississippiToday.org] Retrieved 21 November 2021.

=Race=

In April 2021, Reeves said, "There is not systemic racism in America."{{Cite news |last=Bump |first=Philip |title=Analysis: 'There is not systemic racism' says a governor who named April as Confederate Heritage Month |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/04/30/there-is-not-systemic-racism-says-governor-who-named-april-confederate-heritage-month/ |access-date=2021-04-30 |issn=0190-8286}} Earlier that month, he had declared April "Confederate Heritage Month" in Mississippi. In March 2022, Reeves declared April "Confederate Heritage Month". He has done this every year of his term.{{cite web | url=https://www.mississippifreepress.org/22784/gov-reeves-declares-april-confederate-heritage-month-and-genocide-awareness-month#:~:text=Reeves%20Declares%20April%20Confederate%20Heritage%20Month%20and%20Genocide%20Awareness%20Month&text=For%20the%20third%20year%20in,predecessors%20began%2029%20years%20ago. | title=Gov. Reeves: April is Confederate Heritage Month and Genocide Awareness Month | date=April 12, 2022 }}

=2020 presidential election=

After Joe Biden defeated Trump in the 2020 election, and Trump refused to concede, Reeves supported Trump-backed lawsuits to throw out the election results in several states Biden won, where Trump and his allies made false claims of fraud.{{Cite web|last=Harrison|first=Bobby|date=2020-12-14|title=Mississippi electors vote Trump, top officials cast doubt about election results in other states|url=https://mississippitoday.org/2020/12/14/mississippi-electors-vote-trump-top-officials-cast-doubt-about-election-results-in-other-states/|access-date=2021-03-07|website=Mississippi Today|language=en-US}} In March 2021, Reeves acknowledged that Biden is the president of the United States and was "duly elected" but repeatedly refused to acknowledge that Biden was "legitimately and lawfully elected" or that the 2020 election was free and fair.Justin Baragona, [https://www.thedailybeast.com/mississippi-gov-tate-reeves-refuses-to-say-biden-is-legitimately-and-lawfully-elected Post-Mask Mississippi Guv Refuses to Say Biden 'Legitimately and Lawfully Elected'], Daily Beast (March 7, 2021).

Personal life

Reeves is married to Elee Reeves (née Williams); they have three daughters.{{Cite web |title=Elee Reeves |url=https://www.nga.org/governor-spouse/elee-reeves/ |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=National Governors Association}} Reeves and his family attend Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church.

Electoral history

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2003 Mississippi Treasurer Republican primary

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Tate Reeves

| votes = 80,770

| percentage = 48.48

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Wayne Burkes

| votes = 51,745

| percentage = 31.06

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Andrew Ketchings

| votes = 33,795

| percentage = 20.28

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Write-ins

| votes = 311

| percentage = 0.19

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 166,621

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2003 Mississippi Treasurer Republican primary runoff

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Tate Reeves

| votes = 49,466

| percentage = 72.16

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Wayne Burkes

| votes = 19,047

| percentage = 27.78

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Write-ins

| votes = 39

| percentage = 0.06

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 68,552

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2003 Mississippi Treasurer election

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Tate Reeves

| votes = 447,860

| percentage = 51.80

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Gary Anderson

| votes = 403,307

| percentage = 46.64

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Reform Party of the United States of America

| candidate = Lee Dilworth

| votes = 13,507

| percentage = 1.56

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 864,674

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box gain with party link no change

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

| loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2007 Mississippi Treasurer election

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Tate Reeves (incumbent)

| votes = 436,833

| percentage = 60.53

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Shawn O'Hara

| votes = 284,789

| percentage = 39.47

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 721,622

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2011 Mississippi lieutenant gubernatorial Republican primary

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Tate Reeves

| votes = 162,857

| percentage = 56.89

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Billy Hewes

| votes = 123,389

| percentage = 43.11

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 286,246

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2011 Mississippi lieutenant gubernatorial election

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Tate Reeves

| votes = 644,205

| percentage = 80.35

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Reform Party of the United States of America

| candidate = Tracella Lou O'Hara

| votes = 157,547

| percentage = 19.65

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 801,752

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2015 Mississippi lieutenant gubernatorial Republican primary

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Tate Reeves (incumbent)

| votes = 225,192

| percentage = 82.50

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Alisha Nelson McElhenney

| votes = 47,760

| percentage = 17.50

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 272,952

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2015 Mississippi lieutenant gubernatorial election

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Tate Reeves (incumbent)

| votes = 429,990

| percentage = 60.45

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Timothy L. Johnson

| votes = 255,657

| percentage = 35.94

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| candidate = Ron Williams

| votes = 16,226

| percentage = 2.28

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Reform Party of the United States of America

| candidate = Rosa Williams

| votes = 9,410

| percentage = 1.32

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 711,283

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2019 Mississippi gubernatorial Republican primary

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Tate Reeves

| votes = 182,979

| percentage = 48.91

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Waller Jr.

| votes = 124,707

| percentage = 33.33

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Robert Foster

| votes = 66,441

| percentage = 17.76

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 374,127

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2019 Mississippi gubernatorial Republican primary runoff

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Tate Reeves

| votes = 176,251

| percentage = 54.28

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Waller Jr.

| votes = 148,471

| percentage = 45.72

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 324,722

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2019 Mississippi gubernatorial election{{cite web|url=https://data.clarionledger.com/mississippi-general-election-results-2019/ |title=Mississippi General Election Results 2019 |publisher=ClarionLedger.com |date=2019-11-05 |access-date=2019-11-06}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Tate Reeves

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 459,396

| percentage = 51.91

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Jim Hood

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 414,368

| percentage = 46.83

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = David Singletary

| party = Independent (United States)

| votes = 8,522

| percentage = 0.96

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Bob Hickingbottom

| party = Constitution Party (United States)

| votes = 2,625

| percentage = 0.30

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 884,911

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2023 Mississippi gubernatorial election{{cite news |title= Mississippi Governor Election Results |work=The New York Times |date=November 7, 2023 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/11/07/us/elections/results-mississippi-governor.html |access-date=November 14, 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/election/2023/results/mississippi/governor |title=Mississippi Governor |website=CNN |access-date=November 20, 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.270towin.com/content/mississippi-election-day-2023-overview-live-results |title= Mississippi General Election |website=270toWin |access-date=November 20, 2023}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Tate Reeves (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 418,233

| percentage = 50.94

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Brandon Presley

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 391,614

| percentage = 47.70