Republican Hosemann in race for Mississippi lt. governor

RICHLAND, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi’s third-term Republican secretary of state says he’s running for lieutenant governor.

Delbert Hosemann is announcing his candidacy at events around the state, including one Wednesday in the Jackson suburb of Richland.

The 71-year-old Hosemann is an attorney who grew up in Vicksburg and lives in Jackson.

The current lieutenant governor, Republican Tate Reeves of Flowood, cannot seek a third term. He’s running for governor.

Democratic state Rep. Jay Hughes of Oxford announced last year that he’s running for lieutenant governor, and he has filed papers to qualify.

The lieutenant governor presides over the state Senate, appoints Senate committee leaders and has great influence over which bills become law.

March 1 is candidates’ qualifying deadline in Mississippi. Party primaries are in August, and the general election is in November.

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