The 2015 Mississippi gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 2015, to elect the Governor of Mississippi. Incumbent Republican Governor Phil Bryant ran for re-election to a second and final term in office. This is the highest percentage that a Republican has ever won in a gubernatorial election in Mississippi.
The election gained national news coverage and attention due to the unexpected Democratic nominee selection of truck driver and former firefighter, Robert Gray, who had not had any political experience prior to his candidacy.
As of 2023, this is by far the best performance by a Republican in a gubernatorial election in the Magnolia State. This is also the only time that the following counties have voted Republican for governor: Clay, Marshall, Quitman, Sharkey, and Tallahatchie.
Background
Mississippi is one of nine states and territories that has lifetime limits of two terms for its governor. In 2011, with incumbent Republican Governor Haley Barbour term-limited, Republican Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant was elected to succeed him. Bryant won the Republican primary with 59% of the vote and then defeated the Democratic nominee, Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree, with 61% of the vote.
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
Phil Bryant, incumbent Governor
Mitch Young
Declined
Chris McDaniel, state senator and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014
Michael Watson, state senator
Result
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
Robert Gray, truck driver and retired firefighter
Valerie Short, physician
Vicki Slater, attorney
Declined
Travis Childers, former U.S. Representative and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2014 Jim Hood, Attorney General of Mississippi (running for re-election) Bill Luckett, Mayor of Clarksdale and candidate for governor in 2011 Dick Molpus, former Secretary of State of Mississippi and nominee for governor in 1995 Brandon Presley, Commissioner for the Northern District of the Mississippi Public Service Commission and former Mayor of Nettleton (running for re-election)
Result
Reform Party nomination
Candidate
Shawn O'Hara, perennial candidate
General election
Predictions
Polling
Result
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
Adams (Largest city: Natchez) Clay (Largest city: West Point) Kemper (Largest city: De Kalb) Marshall (Largest city: Holly Springs) Quitman (Largest city: Lambert) Sharkey (Largest city: Rolling Fork) Tallahatchie (Largest city: Charleston)
References
External links
Campaign websites (archived) Phil Bryant (R) Robert Gray (D) Valerie Short (D) Vicki Slater (D)