Watson, a Pascagoula state senator, focused his campaign messaging to highlight the fact that Britton ran in the state House of Representatives in 2003 as a Democrat and gave to the campaigns of former Democratic Governor. Ronnie Musgrove, 2003 and 2008. Ronnie Musgrove in 2003 and 2008. Britton thanked his supporters via social media. “I would like to thank you all for your kind support of Robin and myself these past few months. He said that he called Michael Watson just a second ago to congratulate him and to offer his full support in the General Election. As the secretary of state, he oversees voting in Mississippi. Previously, Mississippi was required to apply for federal Justice Department approval to amend its voting laws due to its history of racial discrimination. Watson was scrutinized during the primary campaign because of his involvement in the challenge to the 2014 election by state senator Chris McDaniel. He nearly lost U.S. Senator Thad Cochran in a Republican primary. McDaniel did not concede the race and Watson was part of McDaniel’s legal team that challenged the results in state courts. Watson was part of McDaniel’s legal team that sought to invalidate the “illegal” and fraudulent African American votes cast in the runoff. They argued that the loss by Chris McDaniel to blacks in the Republican primary was due to McDaniel voting for Watson. Watson has deflected attention from his role in challenging the 2014 election by claiming that he is the only Republican primary candidate who “understands the law” and “make sure our elections remain protected.” He also highlighted the need to keep “illegal immigrants” off the voting rolls, strengthen the state’s cybersecurity systems, and address long wait times at state driver’s license bureaus. Watson also argued for moving the state’s driver’s license bureaus from Department of Public Safety into the Secretary of State’s. Watson will be facing Johnny DuPree who was elected the Democratic nominee for governor in 2011. Watson will face Johnny DuPree, a 16-year Mayor of Hattiesburg who defeated Maryra Holges Hunt in Tuesday’s Democratic primary.