A general election was held in the U.S. state of Mississippi on November 8, 2011. All of Mississippi's executive offices were up for election, as well as legislative elections for the State Senate and House of Representatives. Primary elections were held on August 2, 2011, with runoff elections on the 24th if needed. General election runoffs were held on November 29 if needed. Election results were certified by the Mississippi Secretary of State on December 8.[1][2]
Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant did not seek reelection, instead opting to run for the governorship. Republican State TreasurerTate Reeves defeated Reform Party candidate Tracella Lou O'Hara Hill in the general election.[1]
Reform nomination
Candidate
Tracella Lou O'Hara Hill
Republican primary
Two candidates faced off in the Republican primary, Billy Hewes and Tate Reeves. Reeves, who held a statewide office, had more name recognition and raised more money for his campaign than Hewes, a member in the Mississippi legislature. Both campaigns argued over their records in public office and how much each had contributed to the state's long-term bond debt.[3]
Candidates
Billy Hewes, Mississippi State Senator for the 49th district
Incumbent Republican Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann sought reelection and won unopposed in the general election.[1]
Republican primary
Two candidates ran in the Republican primary, Ricky Dombrowski, a Gulfport councilman, and Delbert Hosemann, the incumbent Secretary of State. Dombrowski announced his candidacy after heated discussions with Hosemann over leasing with the Gulfport harbor.[6] Hosemann easily defeated Dombrowski in the primary.[7]
Candidates
Ricky Dombrowski, Gulfport City Council President[6]
Incumbent Democratic attorney generalJim Hood decided to run for reelection. He defeated Republican candidate Steven Simpson in the general election.[1]
In debates, Simpson challenged Hood on his record in regards to a suit against the Affordable Care Act, the "Personhood" amendment, and Castle Doctrine, while Hood touted his record on lowering domestic homicide, successful lawsuits, and his background.[10] In the general election, Hood won over Simpson, continuing his service as the only Democrat statewide officeholder.[11]
Incumbent Republican State TreasurerTate Reeves did not seek reelection, instead running for the Lieutenant Governor's office. Republican candidate Lynn Fitch won in the general election over Democratic candidate Connie Moran and Reform Party candidate Shawn O'Hara.[1]
Three candidates ran in the Republican primary for Mississippi State Treasurer: Lynn Fitch, Lucien Smith, and Lee Yancey.[14] In the primary, none received a majority of the vote, necessitating a runoff between the two candidates with the highest vote totals. Lynn Fitch and Lee Yancey advanced to the runoff, where Fitch won; she outraised Yancey by $200,000.[15]
Candidates
Lynn Fitch, executive director of the Mississippi State Personnel Board[14]
Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney ran for reelection, winning over Democratic candidate Louis Fondren and Reform Party candidate Barbara Dale Washer.[1]
Incumbent Democratic Commissioner Bill Minor died on November 1, 2010, leading to seven candidates to seek his replacement.[26][27] Republican candidates John Caldwell Sr. and Mike Tagert received the most votes in the special election, but since neither received a majority, a runoff was scheduled for February 1. Mike Tagert won in the runoff.[28]
Come the November elections for a full-term, Tagert faced off against Democrat Ray Minor. Tagert won in the general election.[29]
Incumbent Democratic Commissioner Wayne Brown did not seek reelection.[33] Republican candidate Tom King won over Democratic candidate Larry L. Albritton in the general election.[34]
