NEW: Republicans Sound Alarm Bells Of Reeves’ Unpopularity And Low Republican Enthusiasm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              Contact: Press@Mississippidemocrats.org

October 31, 2023                 

NEW: Republicans Sound Alarm Bells Of Reeves’ Unpopularity And Low Republican Enthusiasm

Jackson, MS – Earlier this month, Republican operatives rang the alarm bells on Reeves’ diminishing chances of reelection. And this week, Republicans said the quiet part out loud – they just don’t trust Tate Reeves and are worried their base won’t turn out for Tate Reeves. 

Members of the GOP say Reeves’ issue is that he failed to keep the promises that he made in 2019. Republican State Representative Nick Bain told the Associated Press, “Some people I know that are Trump supporters — they have Trump flags flying and a Brandon Presley sign in their yard.” Reeves is clearly uncomfortable outside of his good ole boys network and is struggling to connect with everyday Mississippians.

This week, the publisher of the Gazebo Gazette said, “I think unfortunately for the governor this time around is that he doesn't have … Donald Trump.” GOP strategist and Tate Reeves donor Henry Barbour also rang the siren for the second time this cycle, telling SuperTalk host Lucien Smith, “If we don’t [have significant voter turnout] then I think Brandon Presley has a chance of flipping and winning.” Last month, Barbour warned of low Republican enthusiasm for Tate Reeves on the Gulf Coast. State Senator Daniel Sparks worried the race has turned into a personality contest and wanted to remind Republicans why they are Republicans - not a great sign with only a week to go until Election Day.

Reeves had a lackluster performance against nominal candidates in the Republican gubernatorial primary, particularly on the Gulf Coast. Tate Reeves underperformed his statewide total, falling under 75 percent in Harrison County, Hancock County, Pearl River County, Jackson County, and George County. More than 1 in 4 Republicans want another candidate instead of Tate Reeves after 20 years in statewide office. A Mississippi Today poll found that 21% of Republican primary voters back Brandon Presley over Reeves. 

See the article below:

Mississippi Today: ‘They don’t trust Tate Reeves’: Radio host explains why conservative voters are struggling with governor’s race

Jack Fairchilds is a household name for many Mississippians who closely follow conservative politics.

[...]

Ahead of the Nov. 7 governor’s race between Republican Gov. Tate Reeves and Democratic challenger Brandon Presley, Fairchilds devoted an entire episode to a couple questions that many political observers have asked: Is Reeves in trouble with conservative voters? And if so, could that pave the way for a Presley upset?

[...]

He pointed out Reeves reneged on his vow to let voters, not politicians, decide whether to change the state flag: “On a debate stage four years ago, Tate Reeves told the people that he felt like the citizens of Mississippi should be the ones to decide the flag and that he wouldn’t act against it without the people voting on it. Then during this whole flag debate, in which the flag got changed in the Legislature, Tate famously tweeted out, ‘Send me a bill and I’ll sign it.’ That is a far cry from the stance that he took before. There are a lot of conservatives out there left scratching their heads right now going, ‘Huh. He’s telling me he won’t expand Medicaid, he’s telling me he won’t raise the gas tax. He won’t do this, he won’t do that. But he also told me he wouldn’t take away my right to vote on the flag, yet he did.’ That decision is haunting him … it is a real factor for a large number of Mississippi voters. Some of them would rather watch the thing burn than reward someone they view as a liar.”

[...]

What are we gaining for bailing out another one of the establishment’s chosen candidates? That’s the real question here. Do you trust Tate Reeves to keep his word on promises? It’s a hard question to answer.”

He said many voters just don’t like Reeves as much as Presley: “This is not a slam on the governor, but it’s just an honest observation: Tate doesn’t come across as a likable individual. And when you see him on TV ads, they don’t really help him. But when you see Brandon Presley on TV, there’s something more about him that comes across more likable than Tate … if you’re just a voter that knows the names and are seeing the ads, I don’t think Tate comes across as likable as Brandon does.”

He said conservative voters may prefer to choose to let Reeves lose than support him: “They’re thinking that maybe the only path forward for conservatism is to let the left have it for now, at least for the next four years. They don’t trust Tate Reeves, and quite frankly, I don’t think he’s done enough to earn back their trust. I understand why people feel that way … it’s hard for me to say they’re wrong because I get it. I get the hopelessness. I get the frustration.”

[...]

At several points during the show, Fairchilds said conservative voters were considering a number of options ahead of the Nov. 7 election — including staying home or even voting for Presley.

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The Mississippi Democratic Party is dedicated to advancing progressive values, fostering inclusive policies, and promoting equal representation for all Mississippians. As the state's leading Democratic organization, we work tirelessly to build a strong and diverse coalition, advocate for meaningful change, and support Democratic candidates who champion social justice, economic fairness, and access to quality healthcare and education. Together, we strive to create a brighter future for Mississippi by ensuring that every voice is heard and every vote counts.