Candidates For State Offices

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Here are the major-party and independent candidates running for statewide offices in Mississippi this year, according to the state Democratic and Republican parties and the secretary of state’s office:

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GOVERNOR

Democrat: Robert Gray, Valerie Adream Smartt Short, Vicki Slater.

Republican: Phil Bryant (incumbent), Mitch Young.

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LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Democrat: Jelanie Barr, Tim Johnson.

Republican: Tate Reeves (incumbent), Alisha Nelson McElhenney.

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ATTORNEY GENERAL

Democrat: Jim Hood (incumbent).

Republican: Mike Hurst.

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SECRETARY OF STATE

Democrat: Charles E. Graham.

Republican: Delbert Hosemann (incumbent).

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TREASURER

Democrat: No candidate.

Republican: Lynn Fitch (incumbent), David McRae.

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AUDITOR

Democrat: Joce Pritchett.

Republican: Stacey Pickering (incumbent), Mary Hawkins Butler.

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INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

Democrat: No candidate

Republican: Mike Chaney (incumbent), John Mosley.

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AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER

Democrat: Addie Lee Green.

Republican: Cindy Hyde-Smith (incumbent)

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Here are the candidates running for transportation commissioner in Mississippi this year, according to the state Democratic and Republican parties:

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NORTHERN DISTRICT

Democrat: Danny Woods.

Republican: Mike Tagert (incumbent), Chip Johnson, Jimmie D. Mills, Geoffrey Yoste.

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CENTRAL DISTRICT

Democrat: Robert Amos, Mary Coleman, Natasha Magee-Woods,

Republican: Dick Hall (incumbent).

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SOUTHERN DISTRICT

Democrat: Chad Toney.

Republican: Tom King (incumbent).

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Here are the candidates running for public service commissioner in Mississippi this year, according to the state Democratic and Republican parties:

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NORTHERN DISTRICT

Democrat: Brandon Presley (incumbent).

Republican: Mike Maynard.

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CENTRAL DISTRICT

Democrat: Cecil Brown, Bruce Burton.

Republican: Brent Bailey, Tony Greer, Mitch Tyner.

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SOUTHERN DISTRICT

Democrat: Tom Blanton.

Republican: Samuel F. “Sam” Britton, Mike Collier, Tony Smith.

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Here’s a breakdown of Mississippi legislative races after Friday’s deadline for candidates to file for state races. These numbers include candidates listed by the Democratic and Republican parties and independents listed on the secretary of state’s website as of 5 p.m. Friday. It does not include candidates of smaller parties.

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HOUSE

The 122-member House comprises 66 Republicans and 56 Democrats. Here’s a breakdown of the 2015 campaign numbers:

– Seats contested by candidates from both major parties, or involving a major-party candidate being challenged by an independent: 44.

– Seats Republicans appear likely to control after this election: 40. This includes 26 Republicans with no announced opponents and 14 districts where multiple Republicans are contesting a primary with no Democratic or independent opponent.

– Seats Democrats appear likely to control after this election: 38. That includes 19 Democrats with no announced opponent and 19 districts where multiple Democrats are contesting a primary with no Republican or independent opponent.

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SENATE

The 52-member Senate today has 32 Republicans and 20 Democrats. Here’s how the 2015 races shape up:

– Seats contested by candidates from both major parties, or involving a major-party candidate being challenged by an independent: 19.

– Seats Republicans appear likely to control after this election: 20. That includes 12 Republicans with no announced opponents and eight districts where multiple Republicans are contesting a primary with no Democratic or independent opponent.

– Seats Democrats appear likely to control after this election: 20. That includes seven Democrats with no announced opponent and six districts where multiple Democrats are contesting a primary with no Republican or independent opponent.

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UNCONTESTED

Among the notable members who drew no announced opposition Friday:

– House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton.

– House Appropriations Committee Chairman Herb Frierson, R-Poplarville.

– Long-serving House Democrats Ed Blackmon of Canton, Tyrone Ellis of Starkville, Steve Holland of Plantersville and Percy Watson of Hattiesburg.

– Sen. Tommy Gollott, R-Biloxi, who if he completes his next term will have served more than 50 years in the Legislature.

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LIKELY FIRST-TIME WINNERS

Two candidates appear likely to win election to the Legislature for the first time without opposition:

– Republican Brad Touchstone of Lamar County drew no opposition in House District 101 to succeed Rep. Hank Lott, R-Sumrall.

– Republican Kevin Blackwell of DeSoto County drew no opposition in Senate District 19, an open seat created there after the last Census.

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THE MORE, THE MERRIER

Some ballots will be crowded. Here are the two primaries with the most candidates running in one party:

– Senate District 38, an open seat created when Kelvin Butler, D-McComb, chose not to run again, drew five Democrats: Angela Baker Brooks, Albert Eubanks, Gregory Harris, Daryl L. Porter Jr. and Tammy Felder Witherspoon. That race also has Republican Dennis Quinn and independent Bente Hess Johnson running in the general election, for the most total announced candidates of any legislative seat.

– House District 24, an open seat created in DeSoto County, drew five Republicans: Rick Clifton, Rob Goudy, Jeff Hale, Les Hooper, and Marion Vinton. No Democrats or independents for the winner to worry about in the general election, though.

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MOVING ON UP?

– Former House Speaker Pro Tem Cecil Simmons, D-Mathiston, qualified to run in Senate District 15 against incumbent Sen. Gary Jackson, R-French Camp.

– Rep. Dennis DeBar, R-Leakesville, withdrew from seeking re-election in House District 105 and qualified to run in the Republican primary in Senate District 43 against Sen. Philip Gandy, R-Waynesboro. The winner will face Democrat Towana Wright of Lucedale.

– Rep. Cecil Brown, D-Jackson, is running for central district transportation commissioner. Tony Smith, R-Picayune, is running for southern district public service commissioner. Rep. Mary Coleman, R-Jackson, is running for central district public service commissioner.