2015 Mississippi gubernatorial election

none related races 2015 United States gubernatorial elections January 2025 September 2023 2015 Mississippi gubernatorial election Mississippi presidential no 2011 Mississippi gubernatorial election 2011 2019 Mississippi gubernatorial election 2019 November 3, 2015 File:Secretary Perry with Govt Phil Bryant KSS2455 (32743097363) (cropped 2).jpg 150x150px Phil Bryant Republican Party (United States) 480,399 66.24% 85 3x4.svg Robert Gray Democratic Party (United States) 234,858 32.38% 37 Governor Phil Bryant Republican Party (United States) Phil Bryant Republican Party (United States) 170px County results 170px Congressional district results 170px Precinct results 1 250px Bryant: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% #c21b18 80–90% #A80000 >90%Gray: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90% #0d056c >90%Tie: #d2b1d9 40–50% #ae8bb1 50% 2001 The 2015 Mississippi gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 2015, to elect the governor of Mississippi. Incumbent Republican governor Phil Bryant won a second and final term in office with more than 66% of votes, the highest percentage and vote share 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.https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/08/us/shy-trucker-emerges-as-democrats-pick-for-mississippi-governor.html Chosen by Mississippi Democrats, Shy Trucker is at a Crossroad The New York Times 7 September 2015 Robertson Campbell As of 2026, this is the last 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 governorhttp://www.clarionledger.com/story/opinion/2015/01/18/power-rankings-top-session-issues/21959195/ Power Rankings: Top Session Issues January 18, 2015 January 28, 2015 The Clarion-Ledger Geoff Pender Mitch Younghttp://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2015/02/27/bryant-face-primary-challenge-mitch-young/24101847/ Bryant to face primary challenge from Mitch Young February 26, 2015 February 27, 2015 The Clarion-Ledger Wagster Pettus Emily Declined Chris McDaniel, state senator and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2014/07/19/pender-running/12900537/ Pender: Who's running for what in '15 July 19, 2014 September 7, 2014 The Clarion-Ledger Geoff Penderhttp://www.clarionledger.com/story/politicalledger/2015/02/26/mcdaniel-running-election/24051219/ McDaniel running for re-election to state Senate February 26, 2015 February 27, 2015 The Clarion-Ledger Pender Geoff Michael Watson, state senatorhttps://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/mississippi-republicans-2014-election-108206.html?hp=t1 June 24, 2014 June 24, 2014 Politico Mississippi's revolution may be just starting Alexander Burnshttp://www.clarionledger.com/story/politicalledger/2015/02/26/watson-senate-reelection/24082659/ Watson running for re-election, not higher office February 26, 2015 February 27, 2015 The Clarion-Ledger Pender Geoff Result Republican primary resultshttps://www.sos.ms.gov/Elections-Voting/Pages/2015-Republican-Primary.aspx 2015 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY Mississippi Secretary of State August 18, 2019 February 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210225033941/https://www.sos.ms.gov/Elections-Voting/Pages/2015-Republican-Primary.aspx dead Republican Party (United States) Phil Bryant (incumbent) 256,689 91.86% Republican Party (United States) Mitch Young 22,738 8.14% 279,427 100.00% Democratic primary Candidates Declared Robert Gray, truck driver and retired firefighterhttp://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2015/aug/05/robert-gray-truck-drivers-seat-challenge-gov-phil-/ Robert Gray in (Truck) Driver's Seat to Challenge Gov. Phil Bryant Jackson Free Press Nave, R.L. August 5, 2015 August 5, 2015 Valerie Short, physicianhttp://www.sunherald.com/2015/02/27/6094104_mississippi-candidates-face-friday.html?rh=1 All 8 statewide Mississippi officials challenged in election The Sun Herald February 27, 2015 March 1, 2015 Emily Wagster Pettus dead https://archive.today/20150301122414/http://www.sunherald.com/2015/02/27/6094104_mississippi-candidates-face-friday.html?rh=1 March 1, 2015 Vicki Slater, attorneyhttp://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/02/14/candidates-playing-chicken-deadline/23446423/ Candidates playing chicken with deadline The Clarion-Ledger Pender Geoff February 14, 2015 February 15, 2015http://www.clarionledger.com/story/politicalledger/2015/02/19/slater-governor-democratic/23667223/ Democratic Party announcing Slater for governor The Clarion-Ledger Pender Geoff February 19, 2015 February 19, 2015 Declined Travis Childers, former U.S. representative and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2014 Mississippi Republicans Wait for Cochran's Decision http://www.rollcall.com/news/mississippi_republicans_wait_for_cochrans_decision-227904-1.html Roll Call September 25, 2013 September 26, 2013 Abby Livingston Jim Hood, Attorney General of Mississippi (running for re-election)http://chickasawjournal.com/2013/07/31/jim-hood-to-open-state-office-in-houston Jim Hood to open state office in Houston Chickasaw Journal July 31, 2013 July 23, 2014 Floyd Ingramhttp://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2013/08/ap_analysis_mississippi_party.html AP analysis: Mississippi party leaders preparing strategy for 2015 Gulf Live August 25, 2013 July 23, 2014 Bill Luckett, Mayor of Clarksdale and candidate for governor in 2011http://www.pressregister.com/news/article_dd2b7bee-9b6f-11e4-ba46-7b50800b0870.html https://archive.today/20150118053613/http://www.pressregister.com/news/article_dd2b7bee-9b6f-11e4-ba46-7b50800b0870.html dead January 18, 2015 'Draft Bill' movement not gaining traction with Luckett January 13, 2015 January 14, 2015 Jesse Wright Clarksdale Press Register 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)http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2014/12/30/brandon-presley-says-running-governor/21069799/ Brandon Presley says he isn't running for governor December 30, 2014 January 1, 2015 Jimmie E. Gates The Clarion-Ledger Result thumb|170px|Results by county Map legend #6674de Gray—60–70% #7996e2 Gray—50–60% #a5b0ff Gray—40–50% #becbff Gray—30–40% #78e478 Slater—40–50% #ffb380 Short—40–50% Democratic primary results http://www.sos.ms.gov/Elections-Voting/Pages/2015-Democratic-Primary.aspx 2015 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY Mississippi Secretary of State August 18, 2019 Democratic Party (United States) Robert Gray 152,087 50.80% Democratic Party (United States) Vicki Slater 91,104 30.43% Democratic Party (United States) Valerie Short 56,177 18.77% 299,368 100.00% Reform Party nomination Candidate Shawn O'Hara, perennial candidate2015 Candidate Qualifying List http://www.sos.ms.gov/Elections-Voting/Documents/2015%20Candidate%20Qualifying_Public%20by%20Party.pdf 28 July 2015 Mississippi Secretary of State August 17, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150817181125/http://www.sos.ms.gov/Elections-Voting/Documents/2015%20Candidate%20Qualifying_Public%20by%20Party.pdf dead General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Reporthttps://cookpolitical.com/ratings/governor-race-ratings/139305 2015-16 Governor Race ratings The Cook Political Report en Safe ROctober 26, 2015 Rothenberg Political ReportGubernatorial Ratings Inside Elections http://www.insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2015-16-gubernatorial-ratings-october-27-2015 www.insideelections.com Safe ROctober 27, 2015 Sabato's Crystal Ballhttp://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2016-governor/ Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » 2016 Governor crystalball.centerforpolitics.org Safe ROctober 29, 2015 DKEElection Outlook: 2016 Race Ratings http://www.dailykos.com/election-outlook/2016-race-ratings#gubernatorial October 21, 2015 Daily Kos Safe ROctober 29, 2015 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror PhilBryant (R) RobertGray (D) ShawnO'Hara (Ref) UndecidedMason-Dixonhttp://yallpolitics.com/index.php/yp/post/42506/ Mason-Dixon October 28, 2015 December 8, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151208195528/http://yallpolitics.com/index.php/yp/post/42506/ dead October 21–25, 2015 625 ± 4% 66% 28% 1% 5% background:#cff Hypothetical polling border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:var(--background-color-base); color:var(--color-base); Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror PhilBryant (R) JimHood (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling July 10–13, 2014 691 ± 3.7% 44% 33% — 22% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror PhilBryant (R) BrandonPresley (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 10–13, 2014 691 ± 3.7% 49% 26% — 25% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror PhilBryant (R) ValerieShort (D) Other UndecidedMason-DixonMason-Dixon https://web.archive.org/web/20150520185859/http://images.realclear.com/files/2015/04/114_MasonDixon_MSGov_0415.pdf May 20, 2015 April 21–23, 2015 625 ± 4% 63% 28% 3%Shawn O'Hara (Reform) 6% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror PhilBryant (R) VickiSlater (D) Other UndecidedMason-DixonMason-Dixon https://web.archive.org/web/20150520185859/http://images.realclear.com/files/2015/04/114_MasonDixon_MSGov_0415.pdf May 20, 2015 April 21–23, 2015 625 ± 4% 61% 30% 2% 7% Results Popular vote Electoral vote Republican Party Phil Bryant (incumbent) 480399 85 Democratic Party Robert Gray 234858 37 Reform Party Shawn O'Hara 9950 Mississippi Secretary of State By county Countyhttps://sos.ms.gov/elections/electionresults/2015General/certified%20results/Amended%20Statewide%20Certification.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20250617184739/https://sos.ms.gov/elections/electionresults/2015General/certified%20results/Amended%20Statewide%20Certification.pdf June 17, 2025 live Amended Statewide Certification Hosemann Delbert Delbert Hosemann February 14, 2016 Secretary of State of Mississippi September 5, 2025Phil BryantRepublicanRobert GrayDemocraticShawn O'HaraReformMarginTotal#%#%#%#%Adams3,76751.06%3,53947.97%710.96%2283.09%7,377Alcorn8,81783.34%1,64915.59%1131.07%7,16867.76%10,579Amite3,17661.96%1,87436.56%761.48%1,30225.40%5,126Attala3,44967.96%1,57731.07%490.97%1,87236.89%5,075Benton1,75363.40%95834.65%541.95%79528.75%2,765Bolivar4,25545.30%5,04053.66%981.04%-785-8.36%9,393Calhoun3,95776.81%1,14422.20%510.99%2,81354.60%5,152Carroll2,93472.25%1,09626.99%310.76%1,83845.26%4,061Chickasaw3,54561.76%2,14137.30%540.94%1,40424.46%5,740Choctaw2,21578.66%57020.24%311.10%1,64558.42%2,816Claiborne1,15833.24%2,25064.58%762.18%-1,092-31.34%3,484Clarke4,25371.72%1,59526.90%821.38%2,65844.82%5,930Clay3,60149.85%3,54749.10%761.05%540.75%7,224Coahoma1,86746.58%2,09552.27%461.15%-228-5.69%4,008Copiah4,08855.66%3,16243.06%941.28%92612.61%7,344Covington4,47170.02%1,83828.79%761.19%2,63341.24%6,385DeSoto16,83779.87%3,90418.52%3391.61%12,93361.35%21,080Forrest11,99869.61%4,96828.82%2701.57%7,03040.79%17,236Franklin2,05366.46%99632.24%401.29%1,05734.22%3,089George5,34887.51%63410.37%1292.11%4,71477.14%6,111Greene3,09779.78%69717.95%882.27%2,40061.82%3,882Grenada4,46265.11%2,32433.91%670.98%2,13831.20%6,853Hancock6,67578.64%1,63419.25%1792.11%5,04159.39%8,488Harrison21,54869.52%8,70928.10%7392.38%12,83941.42%30,996Hinds22,40339.33%33,54858.89%1,0121.78%-11,145-19.57%56,963Holmes1,61032.45%3,27265.95%791.59%-1,662-33.50%4,961Humphreys1,13342.71%1,49056.16%301.13%-357-13.46%2,653Issaquena34661.35%21137.41%71.24%13523.94%564Itawamba6,05386.81%84012.05%801.15%5,21374.76%6,973Jackson18,32373.83%6,00024.18%4941.99%12,32349.66%24,817Jasper3,64456.86%2,65441.41%1111.73%99015.45%6,409Jefferson71326.10%1,97172.14%481.76%-1,258-46.05%2,732Jefferson Davis2,00949.24%2,03249.80%390.96%-23-0.56%4,080Jones13,96079.49%3,35619.11%2471.41%10,60460.38%17,563Kemper1,95251.30%1,81447.67%391.02%1383.63%3,805Lafayette6,88162.76%3,89835.55%1851.69%2,98327.21%10,964Lamar11,55584.63%1,94114.22%1581.16%9,61470.41%13,654Lauderdale12,13071.38%4,68627.58%1771.04%7,44443.81%16,993Lawrence3,44669.34%1,47529.68%490.99%1,97139.66%4,970Leake3,88564.51%2,09034.71%470.78%1,79529.81%6,022Lee14,40274.66%4,66524.18%2241.16%9,73750.47%19,291Leflore3,17744.61%3,86854.31%771.08%-691-9.70%7,122Lincoln7,98476.58%2,36222.65%800.77%5,62253.92%10,426Lowndes10,28758.53%7,13740.61%1510.86%3,15017.92%17,575Madison18,93769.41%8,00229.33%3451.26%10,93540.08%27,284Marion5,67475.56%1,76223.47%730.97%3,91252.10%7,509Marshall3,41251.81%3,10547.15%681.03%3074.66%6,585Monroe7,68271.57%2,95127.49%1010.94%4,73144.07%10,734Montgomery2,49763.76%1,38535.37%340.87%1,11228.40%3,916Neshoba5,96881.53%1,29117.64%610.83%4,67763.89%7,320Newton5,17575.75%1,58423.19%731.07%3,59152.56%6,832Noxubee1,21735.21%2,19063.37%491.42%-973-28.15%3,456Oktibbeha6,77360.23%4,34938.67%1231.09%2,42421.56%11,245Panola6,86860.64%4,34438.36%1131.00%2,52422.29%11,325Pearl River7,50181.58%1,50116.32%1932.10%6,00065.25%9,195Perry3,28281.14%68817.01%751.85%2,59464.13%4,045Pike6,68255.89%5,12642.88%1471.23%1,55613.02%11,955Pontotoc7,00883.33%1,31515.64%871.03%5,69367.69%8,410Prentiss5,15579.66%1,25819.44%580.90%3,89760.22%6,471Quitman1,44950.56%1,35947.42%582.02%903.14%2,866Rankin27,58481.56%5,81117.18%4271.26%21,77364.38%33,822Scott4,68865.82%2,36533.21%690.97%2,32332.62%7,122Sharkey84050.09%81648.66%211.25%241.43%1,677Simpson5,65672.33%2,07726.56%871.11%3,57945.77%7,820Smith4,68081.24%1,00317.41%781.35%3,67763.83%5,761Stone4,09377.92%1,05820.14%1021.94%3,03557.78%5,253Sunflower2,77148.06%2,90350.35%921.60%-132-2.29%5,766Tallahatchie2,11458.25%1,45940.20%561.54%65518.05%3,629Tate4,48673.59%1,52725.05%831.36%2,95948.54%6,096Tippah5,32981.87%1,10917.04%711.09%4,22064.83%6,509Tishomingo5,43780.92%1,16317.31%1191.77%4,27463.61%6,719Tunica1,20147.21%1,28150.35%622.44%-80-3.14%2,544Union6,54885.59%1,02713.42%750.98%5,52172.17%7,650Walthall3,31268.18%1,47030.26%761.56%1,84237.92%4,858Warren7,64163.79%4,19635.03%1411.18%3,44528.76%11,978Washington4,38645.46%5,15353.41%1091.13%-767-7.95%9,648Wayne4,37768.33%1,92930.11%1001.56%2,44838.21%6,406Webster2,89882.63%58216.60%270.77%2,31666.04%3,507Wilkinson1,31135.92%2,25561.78%842.30%-944-25.86%3,650Winston4,14065.14%2,17834.27%380.60%1,96230.87%6,356Yalobusha2,43363.66%1,34135.09%481.26%1,09228.57%3,822Yazoo3,97759.05%2,69440.00%640.95%1,28319.05%6,735Totals480,39966.24%234,85832.38%9,9501.37%245,54133.86%725,207 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Adams (largest city: Natchez) Clay (largest city: West Point) Jasper (largest city: Bay Springs) Kemper (largest city: De Kalb) Marshall (largest city: Holly Springs) Quitman (largest city: Marks) Sharkey (largest city: Rolling Fork) Tallahatchie (largest city: Charleston) right 170px Swing by county Legend #ffd5d5 Republican — +0–2.5% #ffaaaa Republican — +2.5–5% #ff8080 Republican — +5–7.5% #ff5555 Republican — +7.5-10% #ff2a2a Republican — +10-12.5% #ff0000 Republican — +12.5-15% #D40000 Republican — +>15% 170px Trend relative to the state by county Legend #09ceff Democratic — +10–12.5% #4bdbff Democratic — +7.5-10% #77e3ff Democratic — +5-7.5% #aaeeff Democratic — +2.5–5% #d5f6ff Democratic — +0-2.5% #ffd5d5 Republican — +0–2.5% #ffaaaa Republican — +2.5–5% #ff8080 Republican — +5–7.5% #ff5555 Republican — +7.5-10% #ff2a2a Republican — +10-12.5% #ff0000 Republican — +12.5-15% #D40000 Republican — +>15% 170px County flips Legend Democratic #92c5de Hold Republican #f48882 Hold #ca0120 Flip By congressional district Bryant won three of four congressional districts.Our Campaigns - MS Governor Race - Nov 03, 2015 https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=785122 District Bryant Gray RepresentativeMississippi 1 1st 73% 26%Trent KellyMississippi 2 2nd 49% 50%Bennie ThompsonMississippi 3 3rd 69% 30%Gregg HarperMississippi 4 4th 76% 23%Steven Palazzo See also 2015 Mississippi elections References External links Campaign websites (archived) Phil Bryant (R) Robert Gray (D) Valerie Short (D) Vicki Slater (D) 2015 Category:2015 United States gubernatorial elections Category:November 2015 elections in the United States Gubernatorial Category:2015 in Mississippi