Hughes and Hosemann both stated that they are open to working across party lines in order to expand Medicaid, pay large raises to public school teachers, resolve the state’s bridge and road crisis, and improve legislative transparency. Hosemann spoke of the political era in which Democrats controlled government, saying that they were still able to work together. We would talk to one another. It was possible to have conversations about a common goal. You will see us working together to achieve the goals of education, health care, and infrastructure. Hughes often uses the phrase “people over parties” when campaigning. Hughes stated in a Sept. 5 debate that “I want people to come together.” Hughes stated that he believes in compromise, humility, and respect, not his way or the highway. It’s not the way it works. I saw that Jackson was different when I was there. That’s why I want to change. Hosemann, 72 years old, stated that his first priority in legislative action will be to fund teacher pay increases in public schools. Hosemann also spoke out about the need to fully fund prekindergarten initiatives, which is a suggestion of current Lt. Governor. Tate Reeves, Gov. Phil Bryant who escaped completion during their terms. Hughes, 56, has traveled across the state three years, focusing his campaign efforts in public schools educators. Hughes’ campaign slogan, “It all starts with education,” is prominently displayed on his campaign RV as well as his materials. He has long advocated for higher salaries for public school teachers. According to Hosemann, he spoke with one of Arkansas’ architects for the Medicaid expansion plan. Arkansas developed a plan in 2013 to use federal Medicaid dollars for uninsured persons to buy private insurance. Later, Arkansas added work requirements to certain Medicaid beneficiaries and cost sharing. Hughes wants to expand Medicaid in Arkansas by accepting federal funds to cover the health care needs of the working poor. Hughes and Hosemann support a version of a gas tax hike. Hosemann proposed a plan that would allow the state’s other 82 counties to decide whether or not they want to raise their gas tax. Hughes stated that the 18.4 cents per gallon state gas tax should be increased but that he would offset this increase with income tax reductions. Both candidates are in favor of increased transparency at Capitol. Hosemann suggested live streaming committee meetings, rather than the Senate and House deliberations. Hughes pointed out that Hughes has filed over a dozen bills in the last four years to improve transparency at Capitol. These include live streaming committee meetings, making legislators’ telephone calls subject to the Open Records Act, and making their emails and phone calls accessible to Hughes. Some have taken offense to Reeves’s rhetoric and policy ideas about working across party lines. He is currently the Republican nominee for governor. Reeves’ ruthless leadership style in his eight years as lieutenant Governor regularly sparked legislative battles within his own Republican Party. Hosemann has not endorsed Reeves for the governor’s election. He has downplayed the idea of supporting policies that may not be supported by the Governor’s mansion in the event Reeves wins on Nov. 5. Hughes and Reeves have also fought over the education policy Hughes supported in the past four years. The office of lieutenant governor is widely considered to be the most powerful in state government. Because of its broad definition in the state Constitution, the position has legitimate power in both legislative and executive branches of government. The lieutenant Governor is the second in line for succession to the governorship. The lieutenant Governor acts as the acting governor when the governor is not present. The powers of the lieutenant governor are determined by Senate rules, which don’t reflect the limits of the state Constitution. These rules give the Senate’s lieutenant governor the title of president, which gives it the power to assign committees or chair committees. The control over the assignment of committee chairs gives the lieutenant governor the ability to kill or push any piece of legislation. Michael Sullivan, a former justice of the state Supreme Court, wrote that the lieutenant Governor is “a powerful legislative creature and a super-senator” that has affirmed the constitutionality the office’s wide powers. “Mississippians should also ask their candidates for the state senator’s office if they would serve the electorate, or the lieutenant governor. (The 1987 Supreme Court decision suggests that a senator may not be able to function effectively unless they choose to serve the latter.” View our #MSElex Voter Guide for information on all candidates running to statewide office.