# 2003 Mississippi elections

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vte :
A general election was held in Mississippi on November 4, 2003, to elect to four-year terms all members of the state legislature (122 representatives, 52 senators), the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state treasurer, state auditor, secretary of state, commissioner of agriculture and commerce, and commissioner of insurance, plus all three members of the Transportation Commission and all three members of the Public Service Commission.

## Results for the state legislature

All 122 representatives and all 52 senators are elected for four-year terms with no term limits. The state legislature draws up separate district map for the House of Representatives and for the Senate every 10 years following each census.

## Background for statewide elections

According to Article 5, Sections 140-41 of the state constitution, the governor and the other seven statewide officers are elected if they receive a majority of electoral votes and a majority of the direct total popular vote. A candidate wins an electoral vote by winning a plurality of the votes in a state house district. With 122 House Districts, a majority of electoral votes is 62. When no candidate receives both majorities, the House of Representatives decides the election between the two persons receiving the highest number of popular votes.

## Governor

Incumbent Democrat Ronnie Musgrove faced Republican challenger Haley Barbour as well as the Constitution Party's John Thomas Cripps, the Green Party's Sherman Lee Dillon, and the Reform Party's Shawn O'Hara. In 1999, Lieutenant Governor Musgrove, won the gubernatorial election against Republican Mike Parker, a former U.S. representative, in a close election that necessitated the Mississippi House of Representatives to decide the outcome because of a tie in the electoral votes. Musgrove lost his re-election bid in 2003 to Barbour after a competitive race.
Results for governor's race :
| Party | Candidate | Popular votes | Pop. vote % | Electoral votes | Electoral vote % |
| Republican | Haley Barbour | 470,404 | 52.59% | 76 | 62.30% |
| Democrat | Ronnie Musgrove | 409,787 | 45.81% | 46 | 37.70% |
| Constitution | John Thomas Cripps | 6,317 | 0.71% | 0 | 0.00% |
| Reform | Shawn O'Hara | 4,070 | 0.46% | 0 | 0.00% |
| Green | Sherman Lee Dillon | 3,909 | 0.44% | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total | Total | 894,487 | 100.00% | 122 | 100.0% |

## Lieutenant governor
### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Barbara Blackmon, state senator
* Troy D. Brown Sr., business owner
* James L. Roberts Jr., judge on the Mississippi Supreme Court

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Barbara Blackmon | 283,177 | 53.7% |
| | Democratic | James L. Roberts, Jr. | 194,204 | 36.9% |
| | Democratic | Troy D. Brown, Sr. | 49,515 | 9.4% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 526,896 | 100.0 |

### Republican nomination
#### Candidate

* Amy Tuck, incumbent

### General election

Amy Tuck, elected to the office in 1999 as a Democrat, had switched to the Republican Party in December 2002 after taking positions on several issues, like re-districting, that opposed the state Democratic Party's stances. In her race for reelection, her challenger was Democratic state senator Barbara Blackmon, who was the first black woman to run for a statewide race. Tuck defeated Blackmon in the election.

#### Results

Results for lieutenant governor's race :
| Party | Candidate | Popular votes | Pop. vote % | Electoral votes | Electoral vote % |
| Republican | Amy Tuck | 542,129 | 60.98% | 84 | 68.85% |
| Democrat | Barbara Blackmon | 329,454 | 37.06% | 38 | 31.15% |
| Reform | Anna Reives | 17,481 | 1.97% | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total | Total | 889,064 | 100.00% | 122 | 100.00% |

## Attorney general
### Democratic nomination
#### Candidate

* Jim Hood, district attorney of Northern Mississippi

### Republican nomination
#### Candidate

* Scott Newton, former FBI agent

### General election

Mike Moore, a Democrat who had served four terms starting in 1988, declined to run for re-election. Moore's protégé Jim Hood faced Republican Scott Newton. Newton ran many ads attacking Hood on being soft on crime and especially criticized Hood's handling of a rape case, while Hood focused on Newton's supposed inexperience. Hood won the election over Newton.

#### Results

Results for attorney general's race :
| Party | Candidate | Popular votes | Pop. vote % | Electoral votes | Electoral vote % |
| Democrat | Jim Hood | 548,046 | 62.69% | 100 | 81.97% |
| Republican | Scott Newton | 326,042 | 37.30% | 22 | 18.03% |
| Total | Total | 874,088 | 100.00% | 122 | 100.0% |

## State Treasurer
### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Gary Anderson
* Cindy Ayers Elliott
* Robert H. Smith

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gary Anderson | 197,320 | 40.1% |
| | Democratic | Robert H. Smith | 173,866 | 35.3% |
| | Democratic | Cindy Ayers Eliott | 121,468 | 24.7% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 492,654 | 100.0 |

#### Runoff

Democratic runoff results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gary Anderson | 189,388 | 53.3% |
| | Democratic | Robert H. Smith | 165,661 | 46.7% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 355,049 | 100.0 |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates

* Wayne Burkes
* Andrew Ketchings
* Tate Reeves, banker

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tate Reeves | 81,263 | 48.6% |
| | Republican | Wayne Burkes | 51,896 | 31.1% |
| | Republican | Andrew Ketchings | 33,969 | 20.3% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 167,128 | 100.0 |

#### Runoff

Republican runoff results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tate Reeves | 49,466 | 69.0% |
| | Republican | Wayne Burkes | 22,206 | 31.0% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 71,672 | 100.0 |

### General election

Four-term Democrat Marshall Bennett resigned in early 2003 to join a New York City law firm and was replaced by Peyton Prospere, who was appointed by Governor Musgrove to complete the term. With Prospere not seeking election in his own right, Gary Anderson ran for the Democrats. The Republicans chose 29-year-old banker Tate Reeves. In a close race, Reeves won over Anderson.

#### Results

Results for state treasurer's race :
| Party | Candidate | Popular votes | Pop. vote % | Electoral votes | Electoral vote % |
| Republican | Tate Reeves | 447,860 | 51.80% | 66 | 54.10% |
| Democrat | Gary Anderson | 403,307 | 46.64% | 56 | 45.90% |
| Reform | Lee Dilworth | 13,507 | 1.56% | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total | Total | 864,674 | 100.00% | 122 | 100.0% |

## State Auditor
### Reform nomination
#### Candidate

* Billy Blackburn

### Republican nomination
#### Candidate

* Phil Bryant, incumbent

### General election

Republican Phil Bryant, first appointed by Gov. Kirk Fordice in 1996 to fill an unexpired term and then won in 1999, won over Reform Party candidate Billy Blackburn.

#### Results

Results for state auditor's race :
| Party | Candidate | Popular votes | Pop. vote % | Electoral votes | Electoral vote % |
| Republican | Phil Bryant | 587,212 | 76.31% | 119 | 97.54% |
| Reform | Billy Blackburn | 182,292 | 23.69% | 3 | 2.46% |
| Total | Total | 769,504 | 100.00% | 122 | 100.0% |

## Secretary of State
### Democratic nomination
#### Candidate

* Eric Clark, incumbent

### Reform nomination
#### Candidate

* Brenda Blackburn

### Republican nomination
#### Candidate

* Julio Del Castillo

### General election

Three-term incumbent Democrat Eric Clark won over Republican challenger Julio Del Castillo.

#### Results

Results for secretary of state's race :
| Party | Candidate | Popular votes | Pop. vote % | Electoral votes | Electoral vote % |
| Democrat | Eric Clark | 610,461 | 71.02% | 117 | 95.90% |
| Republican | Julio Del Castillo | 201,765 | 23.47% | 5 | 4.10% |
| Reform | Brenda Blackburn | 47,296 | 5.50% | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total | Total | 859,522 | 100.00% | 122 | 100.0% |

## Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce
### Democratic nomination
#### Candidate

* Lester Spell, incumbent

### Republican primary
#### Candidates

* Roger D. Crowder
* Kyle Weston Magee
* Max Phillips
* Fred T. Smith

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Roger D. Crowder | 64,521 | 41.7% |
| | Republican | Max Phillips | 38,731 | 25.0% |
| | Republican | Kyle Weston Magee | 26,068 | 16.8% |
| | Republican | Fred T. Smith | 25,457 | 16.4% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 154,777 | 100.0 |

#### Runoff

Republican runoff results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Max Phillips | 34,840 | 50.3% |
| | Republican | Roger Crowder | 34,404 | 49.7% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 69,244 | 100.0 |

### General election

Democrat Lester Spell was re-elected to a third term over Republican Max Phillips.

#### Results

Results for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industry race :
| Party | Candidate | Popular votes | Pop. vote % | Electoral votes | Electoral vote % |
| Democrat | Lester Spell | 564,283 | 66.11% | 105 | 86.07% |
| Republican | Max Phillips | 274,097 | 32.11% | 17 | 13.93% |
| Reform | Bob Claunch | 15,229 | 1.78% | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total | Total | 853,609 | 100.00% | 122 | 100.0% |

## Commissioner of Insurance
### Democratic nomination
#### Candidate

* George Dale, incumbent

### Reform nomination
#### Candidate

* Barbara Dale Washer

### Republican nomination
#### Candidate

* Aaron DuPuy

### General election

Democrat George Dale won an eighth term over Republican Aaron DuPuy.

#### Results

Results for Commissioner of Insurance race :
| Party | Candidate | Popular votes | Pop. vote % | Electoral votes | Electoral vote % |
| Democrat | George Dale | 610,341 | 71.27% | 114 | 93.44% |
| Republican | Aaron DuPuy | 211,859 | 24.77% | 8 | 6.56% |
| Reform | Barbara Dale Washer | 32,969 | 3.86% | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total | Total | | 100.00% | 122 | 100.0% |

## Public Service Commission
### Northern district
#### Democratic primary
##### Candidates

* Bo Robinson, incumbent
* Benton White

##### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bo Robinson | 158,810 | 79.6% |
| | Democratic | Benton White | 40,632 | 20.4% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 199,442 | 100.0 |

#### Reform nomination
##### Candidate

* Kerry Hunt

#### General election

Democrat Bo Robinson won over Reform Kerry Hunt.

##### Results

Mississippi Public Service Commissioner, Northern District election, 2003 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bo Robinson | 216,331 | 83.9% |
| | Reform | Kerry Hunt | 41,610 | 16.1% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 257,941 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### Central district
#### Democratic nomination
##### Candidate

* L.D. Horne Sr.

#### Reform nomination
##### Candidate

* Miek R. Ivey

#### Candidate

* Nielsen Cochran, incumbent

#### General election

Republican Nielsen Cochran won over Democrat L.D. Horne Sr. and Reform Miek R. Ivey.

#### Results

Mississippi Public Service Commissioner, Central District election, 2003 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Nielsen Cochran | 164,394 | 58.5% |
| | Democratic | L.D. Horne, Sr. | 110,779 | 39.4% |
| | Reform | Mike R. Ivey | 6,072 | 2.2% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 281,245 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### Southern district
#### Democratic nomination
##### Candidate

* Michael Callahan, incumbent

#### Reform nomination
##### Candidate

* Anthony Sahuque

#### Candidate

* Larry Albritton

#### General election

Democrat Michael Callahan won over Republican Larry Albritton and Reform Anthony Sahuque.

##### Results

Mississippi Public Service Commissioner, Southern District election, 2003 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Michael Callahan | 150,599 | 51.3% |
| | Republican | Larry Albritton | 138,147 | 47.0% |
| | Reform | Anthony Sahuque | 4,962 | 1.7% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 293,708 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Transportation Commission
### Northern district
#### Democratic primary
##### Candidates

* A.T. Marlar Jr.
* William R. (Bill) Minor
* Thomas (Tod) Todd

##### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | William R. Minor | 108,558 | 54.3% |
| | Democratic | Thomas Todd | 67,063 | 33.6% |
| | Democratic | A.T. Marlar, Jr. | 24,155 | 12.1% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 199,776 | 100.0 |

#### Republican primary
##### Candidates

* John M. Caldwell Sr.
* Larry Lee

##### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John M. Caldwell, Sr. | 25,985 | 79.9% |
| | Republican | Larry Lee | 6,517 | 20.1% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,502 | 100.0 |

#### General election

Democrat Bill R. Minor won over Republican John M. Caldwell Sr.

##### Results

Mississippi Transportation Commissioner, Northern District election, 2003 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | William R. Minor | 156,667 | 57.6% |
| | Republican | John M. Caldwell, Sr. | 115,182 | 42.4% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 271,849 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### Central district
#### Democratic nomination
##### Candidate

* W.C. Alderman

#### Reform nomination
##### Candidate

* Jimmy Loper

#### Candidate

* Dick Hall, incumbent

#### General election

Republican Dick Hall won over Democrat W.C. Alderman and Reform Jimmy Loper.

##### Results

Mississippi Transportation Commissioner, Central District election, 2003 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dick Hall | 152,320 | 54.3% |
| | Democratic | W.C. Alderman | 123,013 | 43.9% |
| | Reform | Jimmy Loper | 4,986 | 1.8% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 280,319 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### Southern district
#### Democratic nomination
##### Candidate

* Wayne H. Brown

#### Reform nomination
##### Candidate

* Virgil C. Smith

#### Republican primary
##### Candidates

* Alana Abney
* Arlin Regan

##### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Arlin Regan | 31,066 | 52.3% |
| | Republican | Alana Abney | 28,376 | 47.7% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 59,442 | 100.0 |

#### General election

Democrat Wayne H. Brown won over Republican Arlin Regan and Reform Virgil C. Smith.

##### Results

Mississippi Transportation Commissioner, Southern District election, 2003 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Wayne H. Brown | 165,109 | 56.1% |
| | Republican | Arlin Regan | 117,941 | 40.1% |
| | Reform | Virgil C. Smith | 11,247 | 1.8% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 294,297 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |