Watson, a Pascagoula state senator, purchased several statewide TV ads mocking Britton’s bid to run for the state House of Representatives in 2003 as a Democrat and donated to former governor Ronnie Musgrove. Watson incorporated these points in his speech, speaking just before Britton on Tuesday afternoon. Watson stated, “I’m not the only candidate in this election who hasn’t voted for Democrats.” Watson said, “I’m not running as a Democrat. I’m the only candidate in the race.” “I’m the only candidate in the race who hasn’t given to liberal Democrats such as Ronnie Musgrove… I’m ready from Day One to become a conservative secretary-of-state.” Britton, a Laurel public service commissioner, has reacted to Watson’s attacks. He has run television ads that highlighted Watson’s contributions to a political committee that helped to stop President Donald Trump receiving the Republican nomination. Britton focused his speech after Watson’s speech on attacking Watson. It’s obvious that my opponent is angry after listening to his speech. Britton stated that he is angry at me for telling the voters the truth. “I was proud to have been one of the first Mississippi officials to endorse Donald Trump’s candidacy for president. My opponent was also one of the biggest donors to a liberal group that attempted to steal Donald Trump’s nomination at the Republican National Convention.” The speeches were limited in their content and both candidates spoke briefly about the substantive policies they would like to implement if elected secretary-of-state. Watson spoke about keeping illegal immigrants off the state’s voting rolls, strengthening the state’s cyber security systems to “make our elections protected” and dealing with the long waits at state’s driver’s license bureaus. Britton spoke out about working with local officials to ensure “fair and secure elections” and give businesses the tools to boost the state’s economic growth. Johnny DuPree won the Democratic nomination for governor in 2011. The Republican winner will face him on Aug. 6. DuPree was Hattiesburg’s mayor between 2001 and 2017. He spoke about his achievements as mayor, as well as pointing out that he has more experience in executive management than Watson or Britton. DuPree spoke out in favor of early voting and the switch to paper ballots. DuPree stated, “We are in this race for increased access to the ballot and participation in it.” “With Mississippi’s history, we should be number one when it comes to voting. “We should make it easy for people to vote. It shouldn’t be harder…. People have lost faith in the voting process.”_x000D