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.

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

 * Billy Hewes, Mississippi State Senator for the 49th district
 * Tate Reeves, Mississippi State Treasurer

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

 * Ricky Dombrowski, Gulfport City Council President
 * Delbert Hosemann, incumbent

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

Candidates

 * Jim Hood, incumbent

Candidates

 * Steve Simpson, Department of Public Safety Commissioner and former circuit judge

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.

Candidates

 * Ashley Norwood

Candidates

 * Stacey Pickering, incumbent

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.

Candidates

 * Connie Moran, mayor of Ocean Springs

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

 * Lynn Fitch, executive director of the Mississippi State Personnel Board
 * Lucien Smith, former budget advisor for Governor Haley Barbour
 * Lee Yancey, Mississippi State Senator

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.

Candidates

 * Joe Gill, Mayor of Pickens

Candidates

 * Cathy L. Toole

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.

Candidates

 * Louis Fondren, former Mayor of Moss Point

Candidates

 * Barbara Dale Washer

Candidates

 * Mike Chaney

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

Candidates

 * Brandon Presley, incumbent

Candidates

 * Boyce Adams
 * Marvin Cox

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

Candidates

 * Addie Green
 * Bruce Burton

Candidate

 * Lynn Posey

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

Candidates

 * Thomas "Tom" Blanton
 * James M. Buckhaults
 * Mike Collier

Candidates

 * Leonard Bentz
 * Travis Rose

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.

Candidate

 * Ray Minor

Candidates

 * Mike Tagert

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

Candidates

 * Dorothy Benford
 * Marshand Crisler

Candidates

 * Dick Hall, incumbent
 * Tim Johnson

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.

Candidate

 * Larry L. Albritton

Candidates

 * Scottie R. Cuevas
 * Tom King