Below is a list Mississippi Today compiled of those who have declared for statewide office. GOVERNOR Lt. Governor Tate Reeves is a Republican and officially qualified to run as governor. He will be the prohibitive favorite in this Republican primary. In October, Attorney General Jim Hood announced that he would be running for governor. He is the only Democrat to hold a statewide office here in Mississippi. Velesha Williams, Madison, has announced that she will be running in the Democratic primary. She was the former director for the Metro Jackson Community Prevention Coalition. Robert Foster, a freshman state representative from Hernando, announced in December that he was running for governor. Foster, a Christmas tree grower, was unexpectedly entered in the gubernatorial race. Magnolia Mayor Anthony Witherspoon is a Democrat who has been considering a run for governor. Petal Mayor Hal Marx (a Republican) announced that he would run to be governor in May. However, he recently said that he will not run due to his wife’s health. Rumours of Thomas Duff, a billionaire businessman, being a potential Republican candidate have circulated. Duff is a Columbian native and a member of The Board of Trustees of state Institutions of Higher Learning. Duff, along with his brother, owns a number of businesses that range from real estate to trucking. Duff is no longer considered to be a candidate because he contributed substantially to the Reeves campaign. In February, Chief Justice William Waller Jr. of the State Supreme Court announced that he would run for governor as a Republican. It was speculated that he would try to emulate his father, who was a Democratic governor in Mississippi in the 1970s, when he announced his retirement from the judiciary earlier this year. Rumours of Michael Randolph, Supreme Court Justice from Hattiesburg, being a candidate have circulated. His candidacy is unlikely, however, as he will assume the role of chief judge with Waller’s retirement. He would be most likely to run as a Republican if he were to run. Robert J. Ray, a Meridian-based retired counselor for drug and alcohol, declared in February that he would run as a Democratic candidate to be governor. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Republican Secretary Of State Delbert Hosemann. At a press conference held on January 9, Hughes announced his candidacy. Jay Hughes, D.Oxford State Rep., made the announcement in summer that he would run for lieutenant governor. He has already filed qualifying papers. It is possible that State Senator Chris McDaniel (R-Ellisville) will run. McDaniel could run for a Mississippi political board seat. McDaniel was a U.S. senator in 2014 and 2018, barely losing to Thad Cochran in 2014. McDaniel could also run for governor or his Jones County Senate seat. However, it is unlikely that he will resign from politics and continue to practice law. ATTORNEY GENERAL State Rep. Mark Baker (R-Brandon) has already announced that he will seek the statewide office. Since 2004, he has served in the House. Lynn Fitch is a Republican and treasurer. She is currently running for attorney general. She is finishing her second term in office as treasurer. Jennifer Riley-Collins is the executive director for the Mississippi chapter American Civil Liberties Union and she is running as a Democrat to be attorney general. David Baria (D-Bay St. Louis), has decided to run for his legislative seat. After his failed campaign against Tupelo Republican U.S. Senator Roger Wicker last year, Baria was considered a possible candidate for attorney general. Some believe Mike Espy could be a strong candidate for attorney general. After a 25-year absence, the Madison attorney, who was previously a U.S. House Member and secretary of Agriculture, returned to public life last year to contest the special election to replace long-time U.S. Senator Thad Cochran. He retired from health reasons. Espy is a strong candidate to any state office he may pursue. The office of attorney general seems like an ideal fit for Espy, who is also an attorney. SECRETARY of STATE Sam Britton, Jones County’s secretary of state, was initially thought to be a candidate for treasurer. He had previously served one term as Southern District Public Service Commission commissioner. After three terms as a state senator, Michael Watson (R-Pascagoula), announced that he plans to run for the statewide office. Vickie Slater, Jackson attorney, is being considered for the position. Slater has talked to Democratic officials about a possible candidacy. Slater was the most prominent Democratic candidate for governor in 2015. However, Robert Gray, a truck driver, defeated him in the primary. According to state Democratic Party officials, Johnny DuPree, a former Hattiesburg mayor will be running for the position. He was the first African American to win the primary election to become the nominee of a major party for governor in modern times. AUDITOR Republican ShadWhite, who was appointed by Gov. Phil Bryant was appointed to the post by Gov. Shad White, who took over from Stacey Pickering as head of the state Veterans Affairs Board. White indicated that he would run for a 4-year term. TREASURER Republican David McRae lost to Lynn Fitch in 2015 when he ran for the seat of Treasurer. According to Madison County residents, McRae plans to run for reelection in 2019. State. Senator Buck Clarke (R-Hollandale) has applied for the position. Clarke has also been mentioned as a possible candidate for secretary-of-state. INSURANCE COMISSIONER Republican incumbent Mike Chaney will be running for his fourth term. He was a former legislator. COMMISSIONER FOR AGRICULTURE & COMMERCE Andy Gipson, a Republican incumbent from Braxton, was appointed to this post by Gov. Phil Bryant was appointed to the post by Gov. Cindy Hyde Smith, the incumbent for the Senate position. Gipson is a former member of the state House and can run for the full four-year term. Rumours abound that Perry Parker, a former Wall Street executive and farmer from Covington County will be running for the position. In 2018, he ran an unsuccessful campaign for the 3rd District U.S. House Seat. The post is being rumored to be held by Michael Ted Evans (D-Preston), a state representative. Democratic officials suggest Evans as a potential candidate. This past year, Evans ran a failed campaign for the 3rd district U.S. House seat. Evans plans to run for reelection in his state House district. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to the Spring Member Drive today.