Hood, a Chickasaw County native has faced far more opposition – in terms of electoral viability – than Reeves (a Rankin County native). Hood has been tested in battle. However, it is important to not discount Reeves’ electoral victories. He was a 29-year old with no previous campaign experience and won the office of treasurer against older, more well-known politicians. The main reason he won the seat was because he raised more money. This feat is comparable to recruiting for college football. Reeves was elected lieutenant governor in 2011 after winning a difficult Republican primary. Reeves, along with other Republicans in the state, have been able to take advantage of the fact that Democrats lack the resources to wage effective campaigns. However, in four of the campaigns for the position of attorney general, the Republican establishment has poured its heavy artillery into the fight to overthrow Hood, who is now the only statewide elected Democrat. Hood faced opponents who were similar in the amount of money required to fund his campaigns in each of his election. In the same period, Republicans elected to state office, including Reeves have faced Democratic opposition with much less money to spend on their campaigns. According to reports filed with the Secretary-of-State’s office, Hood spent $6.75 million on his four previous campaigns as attorney general. Hood’s opponents spent $5.05 millions. Hood spent a total of $6.75 million. Hood was also targeted by third-party groups who spent substantial amounts of money in those elections. Reeves spent $5 million to win the offices of treasurer, and lieutenant governor, each twice. In those four campaigns, Reeves’ rivals spent $3 million. This number is misleading as $2.3 million was spent by one opponent, then-Senate pro Tem Billy Hewes from Gulfport, in the Republican primary to the office of lieutenant Governor in 2011. Reeves’ general-election opponents have spent $550,000. Hood won four elections with convincing results despite the opposition’s fundraising skills. He received 62.7 percent in 2003, 59.5 percent in 2007 and 61.8% in 2011. Hood also won 55.3 percent in 2015. Hood’s performance in the previous four elections is what makes him the most likely Democrat to win the governor’s seat. This is assuming he comes from a Democratic primary with far better name identification and fundraising skills than the six other candidates. It remains to be seen if Hood’s electability skills as an attorney general translate to the election for governor. Hood has been faced with well-funded candidates in his AG campaign, but this will most likely be the first time Hood’s campaign will be outspent. According to the Secretary of State’s May campaign finance reports, Reeves had $6.3 million in cash available while Hood has $1.2 million. Reeves may be able to double his fundraising efforts before the November general elections. If one of the Republican candidates, former Supreme Court Chief Judge Bill Waller Jr. or state Rep. Robert Foster from DeSoto, emerges from the primaries as many believe it is possible then that candidate would likely raise more campaign cash than Hood. This is especially true in Republican-dominated Mississippi. Hood, a former North Mississippi district attorney, is a social conservative candidate. However, Hood has said in the past that he wouldn’t spend as much time on social issues than Reeves (the outgoing governor). Phil Bryant and Republican Legislature. The Republican Legislature and Phil Bryant. Hood is now the Democrats’ best hope for Mississippi governorship in a long while. If he fails, he may be the story.