Reeves (45) and Waller (67), will face off in Tuesday’s runoff for Republican nomination for governor. Over the past three weeks, both candidates tried to define conservatism differently. They sometimes criticized their opponents’ policies or personalities. In a letter sent to GOP primary voters this weekend, the Reeves supporters wrote that Tate is a true conservative and knows that spending and taxation aren’t the solutions. “Bill Waller has been carrying the water for Democrats… It’s now that we can call a Democrat a Democrat.” Former GOP chairmen Joe Nosef and Arnie Hederman signed the letter in support of Reeves. White is the current chief of staff for U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde Smith, while Hederman is a lobbyist who is close to Reeves. Henry Barbour is a lobbyist, and a nephew to former Gov. Haley Barbour signed the letter along with Jeanne Luckey and Cindy Phillips, members of the Republican National Convention committee, and Kathy Henry. Reeves letter from GOP new guard (Text). Former Republican Party leaders, who supported Waller in the early stages of the campaign, replied in a social media response to the allegations made by Reeves supporters. The Waller supporters responded that any Republican in the state would claim that Bill is carrying the water for Democrats simply because he addresses important issues like education and healthcare. Former GOP chairmen Jim Herring and Clarke Reed signed the letter, as well as Mike Retzer and Mike Retzer. Leland Speed and Billy Mounger, long-time financial brokers for GOP candidates, signed the letter as well as Wirt Yoger III, the son from Wirt Yerger Jr. Waller was endorsed earlier this year by the GOP’s old guard. They questioned whether Reeves would be able to win a general election against Attorney General Jim Hood, a four-time statewide winner and widely considered the Democratic Party’s best shot at the Governor’s Mansion in at most 16 years. The former Republican Party leaders expressed concern about Reeves’ chances of defeating Hood in November in a letter they sent over the weekend. Retzer stated Monday that “the old gray hairs,” as they are known, consider Chief Justice Waller a better candidate for Mississippi. We feel he is the best candidate. There are many people who feel this way. What happens if the party doesn’t come together tomorrow after the election? We don’t know. It will, I believe. There is a clear division here. It appears to be a difficult-fought race, and definitely an emotional race.” The Republican Party leaders and voters are divided between the candidates and their policy proposals. Reeves received 49% of the Republican primary vote, while Waller got 33%. The third-place finisher, Robert Foster, a state representative, has since endorsed Waller with 18 percent. Over the past three weeks, both Republican candidates for the runoff have tried to define conservatism in their own ways. During the three-week runoff campaign Reeves has largely abandoned forward-facing policies in favor of personal attacks against Waller and his politics. Waller has opted to defend his policies and avoided taking responsibility for Reeves’ involvement in many of the problems that were discussed on the trail. Waller’s platform includes expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Healthcare Act — to address the state’s 31 rural hospitals that are in danger of closing, Waller said — and raising the 32-year-old fuel tax for the state to help with its deteriorating roads. Reeves has made clear his opposition to Waller’s positions in public appearances and campaign ads. He compared Waller with national progressives such as Nancy Pelosi (Elizabeth Warren), Bernie Sanders, Alexandria OcasioCortez, and Bernie Sanders. Reeves’ friend and Jackson lobbyist Hederman stated on Monday that the old guard is motivated by an “old way” of doing things. Hederman was asked about the intra-party split. They’d find good candidates. They enjoyed a lot the fame and notoriety that came with their candidates being elected. They worked for it. Tate Reeves does not belong to that process. He’s one those conservatives who are running for office without being recruited or making promises to move up the ladder.”