Governor Tate Reeves Wins Reelection: What This Means for MC Students

Reeves outlines his goals to retain college students in Mississippi after graduation.

Gov. Tate Reeves gave his victory speech alongside First Lady Elee Reeves.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves defeated Democrat challenger, Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley, on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Reeves received 51.6% of the vote to Presley’s 47%. Independent Gwendolyn Grey received 1.4%, despite dropping out of the race after the first ballots were printed. All other statewide elected officials also won reelection.

Following his victory speech at the Sheraton Hotel in Flowood, Reeves touted the amount of college-educated Mississippians who voted for him and that his policies will help students in his next term. 

“It means that we are going to continue to create really good jobs for the people of Mississippi, so that we can keep more of our college graduates at home,” Reeves said. “When you look at the numbers, you are going to see that college-educated Mississippians voted for me more so than almost every Republican across the country. I’m extremely proud of that fact.”

Rachel Mallord, a sophomore math major, voted for Reeves. She felt that Presley was a good speaker but not the best leader for the state. Her plans are to stay in Mississippi, and she is encouraged by Reeves’ reelection, especially as she enters the workforce after graduation. 

“I do feel comfortable going into the workforce with a conservative governor,” Mallord said. “I would prefer to stay local to where I work, and I believe that a more conservative leader supports that better.”

Mallord also responded to Reeves’ claims about college students and graduates voting for him. Most of her friends were not planning to vote in this election, but those who were mostly sided with Reeves.

“The reasons my family and close friends had for voting for Gov. Reeves was that we believed him to be a better option than Brandon Presley, that the economy does better with a conservative governor, and that Reeves will push back against many left wing ideas that we believe to be morally wrong, such as critical race theory and abortion,” Mallord said.

Justin May, a political science student, echoes that same sentiment, despite personally supporting Presley. 

“Majority of my friends are Republicans, so his victory was expected but unfortunate,” said May.

May, who will graduate next semester, plans to stay in Mississippi. Unlike Mallord, he didn’t credit the governor as his reason for staying in the Magnolia State. 

“I'm not sure Reeves is the one to credit for this growth,” May said. “However, I feel fairly secure going into the workforce.”