Mississippi
Tate Reeves’ worst 2023 nightmare
![Tate Reeves’ worst 2023 nightmare Tate Reeves’ worst 2023 nightmare](https://mississippitoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/MG_6958-1170x837.jpg)
Gov. Tate Reeves has confronted a litany of unprecedented issues in his first time period as Mississippi governor: a bitter combat for energy with legislative leaders, turmoil and scandal inside a number of state businesses, constant workers turnover, expensive pure disasters, and a life-disrupting pandemic.
However due to a racially progressive replace to the state structure, Reeves might quickly face one other unprecedented drawback: a crapshoot of electoral politics during which the bulk get together incumbent is in actual hazard of shedding the Governor’s Mansion.
Because the 2023 statewide election cycle revs up in coming days, right here’s the situation that ought to preserve Reeves — one of many most unpopular governors in America — up at night time.
The governor’s nightmare election situation begins, after all, within the August 2023 Republican main. Reeves’ allies have stalked each transfer of Speaker of the Home Philip Gunn for years. Gunn, the third-term Republican chief, has been clear about each his disdain for Reeves and his consideration of operating in opposition to him in 2023.
Gunn, who has loads of conservative bonafides and is well-known by the GOP donor class, has a reputation ID drawback exterior the Jackson metro space that he’d want to start out addressing briefly order. Nonetheless, many prognosticators consider a Gunn main problem might stretch Reeves skinny each financially and politically.
Moreover Gunn, these distinguished Republicans have heard from advisers about how a main of Reeves might play out:
- Legal professional Common Lynn Fitch, who’s contemporary off a high-profile takedown of Roe v. Wade. Fitch, a former state treasurer who has coasted into each statewide places of work she’s held, has spent tens of 1000’s of {dollars} to ensure voters learn about her position within the landmark U.S. Supreme Court docket case.
- Secretary of State Michael Watson, who hails from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, which has historically been Reeves’ most dependable base of voters. Watson would definitely look to select off voters to the appropriate of Reeves who’ve been lower than enamored, to say the least, with the incumbent’s management.
- Former state consultant Robert Foster, who unsuccessfully ran in opposition to Reeves within the 2019 main for governor. Foster, a far-right conservative who has been banned from Fb and Twitter for his misinformation posts in regards to the pandemic and the 2020 presidential election, garnered 18% of the 2019 main vote.
If one in every of these 4 candidates ran, Reeves would possible must spend no less than $1 million to lock up the first victory. If two or three of those candidates ran, the GOP main may very well be thought-about a toss-up.
However profitable the Republican main is the very least of Reeves’ considerations.
Subsequent, after all, Reeves would want to measurement up the Democratic nominee for governor. Probably the most notable Democrat contemplating a gubernatorial run is Brandon Presley, the longtime northern district public service commissioner.
Presley, who speaks with a deep nation drawl and is an precise relative of Elvis, is a local of northeast Mississippi, the opposite area of the state the place Reeves has carried out properly. Presley has established an extended political profession centered on commonsense, apolitical priorities like increasing broadband entry throughout the state and maintaining massive firms from jacking up utility payments.
A political average who self describes as pro-life and pro-Second Modification, Presley additionally boasts a real, shut relationship with the state’s prime Black Democratic leaders — one thing most white Democratic statewide candidates have by no means been in a position to say.
However Presley’s advisers consider he has professional crossover enchantment, particularly with rural white Mississippians — individuals who have currently voted Republican. Among the many Grand Ol’ Celebration trustworthy who’ve not too long ago written checks to Presley’s marketing campaign committee is Amory businessman Barry Wax, who served on Reeves’ 2019 marketing campaign finance committee however wrote his potential Democratic challenger a $25,000 test in 2021.
However even a powerful Democratic challenger in Presley wouldn’t be Reeves’ greatest 2023 drawback.
His greatest drawback was not an issue 4 years in the past. It wouldn’t have been an issue 132 years in the past. That’s as a result of in 1890, Mississippi political leaders wrote the state structure and added a provision that required candidates for statewide workplace do two issues: 1) win a majority of the favored vote, and a pair of) win a majority of the state’s Home of Representatives districts.
If no candidate checked each containers, the state Home of Representatives would vote to seat a winner. This occurred no less than as soon as in state historical past — in 1999, when the bulk Democratic Home seated Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ronnie Musgrove over Republican candidate Mike Parker.
The availability was written within the early days of the Jim Crow period as a method to preserve Black Mississippians from being elected to statewide workplace. However in 2020, after the homicide of George Floyd and because the Black Lives Matter motion gripped the nation, an amazing 79% of Mississippi voters elected to take away this provision from the structure.
Starting in 2023, all statewide candidates should do to win is garner a majority of the favored vote. That’s it. If no candidate garners 50% of the vote on Election Day, the highest two vote-getters advance to a late November runoff.
Which means that for the primary time in 133 years, an unbiased candidate could have a fully actual shot at profitable statewide workplace. That is the place the 2023 situation actually turns nightmarish for Reeves.
There are a selection of political moderates with recognition and a few identify ID who, in the event that they ran for governor in 2023, might make a splash:
- Invoice Waller Jr., the previous state Supreme Court docket chief justice who pressured a runoff with Reeves within the 2019 Republican main for governor. Waller, whose late father Invoice Waller Sr. served as governor within the Seventies, thought-about operating as an unbiased in 2019, however opted to run as a Republican due to the now-defunct constitutional provision. Regardless of an eleventh-hour entry into the 2019 main and little time to boost cash or garner a lot momentum, Waller got here inside 8 factors of defeating Reeves.
- Toby Barker, mayor of Hattiesburg and former Republican state consultant. Barker, a millennial, is an impressively common determine amongst Hattiesburg’s Republicans and Democrats alike. Right here’s how Barker spoke of his unbiased political label in 2021: “I believe it began with my technology — individuals figuring out extra with causes or individuals quite than a set, inflexible partisan ideology. I believe individuals perceive that there’s numerous grey on the market… For those who care about your neighborhood and search to maintain wants and lead everybody equitably, I believe being an unbiased is the easiest way to do this.”
- George Flaggs, mayor of Vicksburg and former Democratic state consultant. Flaggs, who’s shut with Reeves and served on his 2019 marketing campaign finance committee, instructed Mississippi Immediately final yr he was praying about operating for governor in 2023. Flaggs, who’s Black, mentioned this of a doable 2023 bid: “Persons are on the lookout for those who signify individuals. I consider (altering the structure) creates a chance to the place an unbiased candidate — significantly an African American candidate — could be elected on the statewide stage.”
- Robyn Tannehill, mayor of Oxford and newly-declared unbiased. Tannehill, who has gotten loads of statewide press through the pandemic, has developed an in depth relationship with Gunn and different statewide political brokers. Right here’s what she mentioned when she introduced she would run for reelection as Oxford mayor as an unbiased: “I consider with all of my coronary heart that on the native stage we have to be as bipartisan as doable to have the ability to obtain our biggest potential. I’m not representing the Republican Celebration or the Democratic Celebration as mayor. I’m representing Oxford, Mississippi.”
Mississippi Immediately spoke with a number of political knowledge analysts who’ve labored dozens of election cycles for each Republicans and Democrats. No analyst might definitively say who would win in a hypothetical three-way race between Republican nominee Tate Reeves, Democratic nominee Brandon Presley, and a powerful unbiased candidate.
With out exception, although, the analysts all predicted no candidate would garner 50% of the vote on Election Day. As for guesses on who the highest two vote-getters can be, nobody might confidently predict that Reeves would even land within the prime two.
The bottom share any trendy Democrat has pulled in a governor’s race was Robert Grey in 2015, who garnered 33% regardless of no political expertise and nearly no identify ID. Presley, theoretically, would earn no less than that 33% ground and may lead the sector of three candidates on Election Day.
That leaves 67% of the remaining vote for Reeves, whose unfavorability in current polls has been within the mid-30s. It’s troublesome to ascertain {that a} first rate unbiased candidate wouldn’t pull no less than 17% of the remaining vote from the incumbent governor. Waller, if he carried out equally to 2019, would earn nearer to half of that remaining vote, placing each Reeves and Waller within the excessive 20s or low 30s.
Even when Reeves ran first or second on Election Day, a runoff with the opposite prime vote-getter can be removed from a assured victory for the incumbent. The unsuccessful third candidate’s supporters would undoubtedly flock to Reeves’ opponent in a runoff.
Had Reeves had his manner in 2020, this nightmare situation can be a distant pipe dream for his political opponents.
Earlier than voters determined in 2020 to do away with the constitutional provision, Mississippi lawmakers first needed to place the problem on the poll. The difficulty was, after all, blessed by Gunn, the chief of the Home, and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, the chief of the Senate.
However on the time, Reeves refused to endorse the concept, saying it was designed “to assist elect Democrats” to statewide workplace.
The governor’s stance then was actually exterior the mainstream and clearly not shared by a overwhelming majority of Mississippians. Now, as we clearly see how the constitutional change might have an effect on Reeves’ political life, that stance is beginning to make much more sense.
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Mississippi
‘If they cannot play Thalia Hall, they cannot play in Mississippi at all’: Broadway in Jackson speaks out about possible show cancellations
![‘If they cannot play Thalia Hall, they cannot play in Mississippi at all’: Broadway in Jackson speaks out about possible show cancellations ‘If they cannot play Thalia Hall, they cannot play in Mississippi at all’: Broadway in Jackson speaks out about possible show cancellations](https://gray-wlbt-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3KMJQZPKGBHNRCT7NENQ3O72YY.png?auth=8e7e3183f489f41a63616389bdae4dd45efc187856d208138265c67183c736b4&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – It’s been one month since Thalia Mara Hall closed its doors due to a mold outbreak.
Innovation Arts and Entertainment is the company responsible for bringing Broadway productions to Jackson.
Representatives from the company visited Jackson after hearing the building had been closed.
CEO Adam Epstein says the City of Jackson did not inform them of the news.
“We did not find out from anybody within the city. We found out by reading news clippings forwarded to us by other people in Jackson,” Epstein said.
Certified Industrial Hygienic Testing reported visible dirt, debris, and suspected mold growth on many surfaces.
Epstein fears this could change the possibility of bigger shows coming to the capital city.
“They’re going to skip over us because of this mess. We need to show as a community that Jackson cares about this valuable asset and that we demand our elected leaders to support and treat this really, incredibly valuable asset with the TLC it deserves,” he said.
Thalia Mara Hall is the only venue in the state that can host a Broadway production due to the technical needs and accommodations required.
“Touring theatrical shows. If they cannot play Thalia Hall, they cannot play in Mississippi at all,” he said.
Broadway in Jackson is not only a great source of entertainment in the city, but it’s also beneficial economically.
“Those other businesses don’t benefit. The city doesn’t earn tax revenue from events that we present. They don’t earn rental income from the events we present. They don’t earn facility fees from the events we present. This is a real tragedy. It’s unacceptable.”
The well-being of the potential audience is the company’s main priority.
“I will not risk our ticket buyers’ health and safety and comfort. Our shows can and will cancel before we’d ever put somebody in jeopardy. We’ve issued a 100% guarantee of a full refund if the venue is not given a clean bill of health,” Epstein said.
All shows will be canceled on a case-to-case basis.
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Mississippi
Tire failure suspected in deadly Mississippi bus crash, NTSB says
![Tire failure suspected in deadly Mississippi bus crash, NTSB says Tire failure suspected in deadly Mississippi bus crash, NTSB says](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/07/11/USAT/9631b18b-dce5-449d-a448-47f4b71a9b44-MS-01.png?auto=webp&crop=3954,2224,x823,y443&format=pjpg&width=1200)
Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board are conducting a probe into Saturday’s crash that killed seven and injured 36 people.
The deadly bus crash in Mississippi that killed seven people and injured dozens of others early Saturday occurred after the vehicle experienced a tire failure, causing it to run off the road and overturn, officials and authorities said.
Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board, in coordination with the Mississippi Highway Patrol, are conducting a probe into Saturday’s crash that left seven people dead and another 36 people injured. The collision occurred at about 12:40 a.m. on Interstate 20 near Vicksburg, Mississippi, when the bus left the roadway and overturned.
The bus, which authorities described as a 2018 Volvo commercial passenger bus, traveled westbound when its left front tire failed, NTSB member Todd Inman said at a news conference Sunday. The bus then moved onto an embankment and rolled over on its left side.
Inman added that investigators will be at the scene for at least another week and are looking into several factors of the crash, including the vehicle’s mechanical condition, motor carrier safety, the condition and experience of the driver, and environmental factors.
According to U.S. Department of Transportation records, the bus was operated by Autobuses Regiomontanos. Records show that in the 24 months before Saturday, the transit company’s vehicles were involved in one fatal crash, two injury collisions, and a crash requiring a tow truck.
The transit company has over 20 years of experience and provides trips between more than 100 destinations throughout Mexico and the United States, according to Autobuses Regiomontanos’ website.
“Everyone at the NTSB sends their expressions of sorrow for everything that the survivors and victims of this crash went through,” Inman said.
7 killed, 36 injured in bus crash
The bus carried a total of 41 passengers and two drivers, according to authorities. It was traveling from Atlanta to Dallas when the incident occurred.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash, according to Master Sergeant Kervin K. Stewart with the Mississippi Highway Patrol. Six people were pronounced dead at the scene and another person died later at a hospital, Stewart said.
Another 36 people were transported to area hospitals.
Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey said two victims killed in the crash were identified by their mother as a 16-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy, according to The New York Times. Authorities were working to identify the other victims.
Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY
Mississippi
This drive showed where Mississippi State football offense can improve for Arizona State
![This drive showed where Mississippi State football offense can improve for Arizona State This drive showed where Mississippi State football offense can improve for Arizona State](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/09/01/PNAS/75036945007-usatsi-24127468.jpg?auto=webp&crop=2927,1648,x0,y152&format=pjpg&width=1200)
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football’s offense had a high-flying Saturday in coach Jeff Lebby’s first game.
It scored touchdowns on six of its first nine drives — one of which was a one-play kneel down to end the first half — leaving Eastern Kentucky buried early and deep at Davis Wade Stadium. It was a 56-7 win for the Bulldogs, with them leading 35-0 at one point in the first half.
Baylor transfer Blake Shapen was superb at quarterback and numerous wide receivers such as Jordan Mosley, Kevin Coleman, Mario Craver Jr. and Creed Whittemore made big plays against EKU (0-1).
Even still, Lebby wasn’t completely satisfied with the performance.
“I think there was a whole lot of good,” Lebby said postgame. “Proud of our guys for their energy and their competitive spirit and toughness they played with, but there’s so many things to clean up. I think that’s the biggest takeaway is that you got a chance to go win the way we won, but we’re going to need to play better, play cleaner and that’s where we’re going to look forward to as we get back into it.”
Take Mississippi State’s third offensive drive as an example of where it can improve.
It was the Bulldogs first drive where they didn’t score points, even though it began at the MSU 46-yard line.
MSU (1-0) was penalized for an illegal formation on the first play of the drive, negating a 47-yard catch-and-run from Craver. Three plays later, after Shapen scrambled 12 yards for a first down, MSU was whistled for another illegal formation. Mississippi State then failed to convert on 4th-and-3 from the EKU 33-yard line.
Those were the only penalties committed by Mississippi State’s offense all night, but it’s not the first time we’ve heard of those types of MSU infractions. In the preseason, following Mississippi State’s first scrimmage that was closed to the public, Lebby noted that “non-playing penalties” were a work in progress.
Players have said that Lebby’s up-tempo pace has been an adjustment. Perhaps it’s one that’s still ongoing.
“Looking back at the game, we did a lot of good things, but there were a couple drives that we killed the drive,” Shapen said. “So, we can keep getting better. I think an emphasis for me is just to let everybody know that we haven’t arrived or anything. We got a lot more to prove, especially going in to play a good Arizona State team next week.”
MORE: Jeff Lebby says Mississippi State football didn’t put on a good enough show. Here’s how he’s wrong
Arizona State might be better than anticipated
MSU’s Week 2 game at Arizona State (9:30 p.m., ESPN) was always going to be its most challenging in the nonconference schedule, but it looks even more so now.
Arizona State routed Wyoming 48-7 on Saturday night. The Sun Devils were about a seven-point favorite entering the game in Tempe, and Wyoming, historically, is no cakewalk in the Group of 5. It was an impressive statement from second-year coach Kenny Dillingham after a 4-9 season in 2023.
The Sun Devils (1-0) scored two defensive touchdowns, forced three turnovers and held Wyoming (0-1) to 118 total yards of offense. Sixty-two of those yards came in the fourth quarter with the game already well decided.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
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