2011 Mississippi elections


A general election was held in the U.S. state of Mississippi on November 8, 2011. All of Mississippi's executive offices were up for election, as well as legislative elections for the State Senate and House of Representatives. Primary elections were held on August 2, 2011, with runoff elections on the 24th if needed. General election runoffs were held on November 29 if needed. Election results were certified by the Mississippi Secretary of State on December 8.

Governor

Incumbent Republican Governor of Mississippi Haley Barbour was unable to run for a third term due to term limits. Republican Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant defeated Democratic Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree in the general election.

Lieutenant governor

Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant did not seek reelection, instead opting to run for the governorship. Republican State Treasurer Tate Reeves defeated Reform Party candidate Tracella Lou O'Hara Hill in the general election.

Reform nomination

Candidate

  • Tracella Lou O'Hara Hill

Republican primary

Two candidates faced off in the Republican primary, Billy Hewes and Tate Reeves. Reeves, who held a statewide office, had more name recognition and raised more money for his campaign than Hewes, a member in the Mississippi legislature. Both campaigns argued over their records in public office and how much each had contributed to the state's long-term bond debt.

Candidates

Secretary of State

Incumbent Republican Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann sought reelection and won unopposed in the general election.

Republican primary

Two candidates ran in the Republican primary, Ricky Dombrowski, a Gulfport councilman, and Delbert Hosemann, the incumbent Secretary of State. Dombrowski announced his candidacy after heated discussions with Hosemann over leasing with the Gulfport harbor. Hosemann easily defeated Dombrowski in the primary.

Candidates

Attorney General

Incumbent Democratic attorney general Jim Hood decided to run for reelection. He defeated Republican candidate Steven Simpson in the general election.

Democratic nomination

Candidates

Republican nomination

Candidates

General election

In debates, Simpson challenged Hood on his record in regards to a suit against the Affordable Care Act, the "Personhood" amendment, and Castle Doctrine, while Hood touted his record on lowering domestic homicide, successful lawsuits, and his background. In the general election, Hood won over Simpson, continuing his service as the only Democrat statewide officeholder.

State Auditor

Incumbent Republican State Auditor Stacey Pickering opted to run for reelection, winning over Reform Party candidate Ashley Norwood.

Reform nomination

Candidates

  • Ashley Norwood

Republican nomination

Candidates

State Treasurer

Incumbent Republican State Treasurer Tate Reeves did not seek reelection, instead running for the Lieutenant Governor's office. Republican candidate Lynn Fitch won in the general election over Democratic candidate Connie Moran and Reform Party candidate Shawn O'Hara.

Democratic nomination

Candidates

Reform nomination

Candidates

  • Shawn O'Hara

Republican primary

Three candidates ran in the Republican primary for Mississippi State Treasurer: Lynn Fitch, Lucien Smith, and Lee Yancey. In the primary, none received a majority of the vote, necessitating a runoff between the two candidates with the highest vote totals. Lynn Fitch and Lee Yancey advanced to the runoff, where Fitch won; she outraised Yancey by $200,000.

Candidates

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce

Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Lester Spell decided not to run for reelection. Republican candidate Cindy Hyde-Smith won in the general election over Democratic candidate Joel Gill and Reform Party candidate Cathy L. Toole.

Democratic nomination

Candidates

Reform nomination

Candidates

  • Cathy L. Toole

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi State Senator
  • Max Phillips, retired agriculture educator
  • Dannie Reed, Mississippi State House Representative

Commissioner of Insurance

Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney ran for reelection, winning over Democratic candidate Louis Fondren and Reform Party candidate Barbara Dale Washer.

Democratic nomination

Candidates

Reform nomination

Candidates

  • Barbara Dale Washer

Republican nomination

Candidates

Public Service Commission

Northern district

Incumbent Democratic Commissioner Brandon Presley ran for reelection, winning against Republican candidate Boyce Adams.

Democratic nomination

Candidates

Republican primary

Candidates
  • Boyce Adams
  • Marvin Cox
    Results

General election

Results

Central district

Incumbent Republican Commissioner Lynn Posey ran for reelection, winning against Democratic candidate Addie Green.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Republican nomination

Candidate
  • Lynn Posey
    Results

General election

Results

Southern district

Incumbent Republican Commissioner Leonard Bentz ran for reelection, winning against Democratic candidate Mike Collier.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Thomas "Tom" Blanton
  • James M. Buckhaults
  • Mike Collier
    Results

Republican primary

Candidates
  • Leonard Bentz
  • Travis Rose
    Results

General election

Results

Transportation Commission

Northern district

Incumbent Democratic Commissioner Bill Minor died on November 1, 2010, leading to seven candidates to seek his replacement. Republican candidates John Caldwell Sr. and Mike Tagert received the most votes in the special election, but since neither received a majority, a runoff was scheduled for February 1. Mike Tagert won in the runoff.
Come the November elections for a full-term, Tagert faced off against Democrat Ray Minor. Tagert won in the general election.

Democratic nomination

Candidate
  • Ray Minor

Republican nomination

Candidates
  • Mike Tagert

General election

Results

Central district

Incumbent Republican Commissioner Dick Hall ran for reelection, winning against Democratic candidate Marshand Crisler.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Dorothy Benford
  • Marshand Crisler
    Results

Republican primary

Candidates

General election

Results

Southern district

Incumbent Democratic Commissioner Wayne Brown did not seek reelection. Republican candidate Tom King won over Democratic candidate Larry L. Albritton in the general election.

Democratic nomination

Candidate
  • Larry L. Albritton

Republican primary

Candidates