2003 Mississippi elections explained
| Election Name: | 2003 Mississippi elections |
| Country: | Mississippi |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Mississippi (2001–2020).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | yes |
| Previous Election: | 1999 Mississippi elections |
| Previous Year: | 1999 |
| Next Election: | 2007 Mississippi elections |
| Next Year: | 2007 |
A general election was held in Mississippi on November 4, 2003, to elect to 4 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
See main article: 2003 Mississippi gubernatorial election. 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 | 894,487 | 100.00% | 122 | 100.0% | |
Lieutenant governor
| Election Name: | Mississippi Lieutenant Gubernatorial election, 2003 |
| Country: | Mississippi |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Mississippi (2001–2020).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1999 Mississippi elections |
| Previous Year: | 1999 |
| Next Election: | 2007 Mississippi elections |
| Next Year: | 2007 |
| Nominee1: | Amy Tuck |
| Nominee2: | Barbara Blackmon |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Image1: | AmyTuck.jpg |
| Popular Vote1: | 542,129 |
| Percentage1: | 60.98% |
| Popular Vote2: | 329,454 |
| Percentage2: | 37.06% |
| Lieutenant Governor |
| Before Election: | Amy Tuck |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Amy Tuck |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Electoral Vote1: | 84 |
| Electoral Vote2: | 38 |
| Map Size: | 150px |
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican nomination
Candidate
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 | 889,064 | 100.00% | 122 | 100.00% | |
Attorney general
| Election Name: | Mississippi Attorney General election, 2003 |
| Country: | Mississippi |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Mississippi (2001–2020).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1999 Mississippi elections |
| Previous Year: | 1999 |
| Next Election: | 2007 Mississippi elections |
| Next Year: | 2007 |
| Nominee1: | Jim Hood |
| Nominee2: | Scott Newton |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Image1: | Jim Hood 2007 (cropped).jpg |
| Popular Vote1: | 548,046 |
| Percentage1: | 62.69% |
| Popular Vote2: | 326,042 |
| Percentage2: | 37.30% |
| Attorney General |
| Before Election: | Mike Moore |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Jim Hood |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Electoral Vote1: | 100 |
| Electoral Vote2: | 22 |
| Map Size: | 150px |
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 | 874,088 | 100.00% | 122 | 100.0% | |
State Treasurer
| Election Name: | Mississippi State Treasurer election, 2003 |
| Country: | Mississippi |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Mississippi (2001–2020).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1999 Mississippi elections |
| Previous Year: | 1999 |
| Next Election: | 2007 Mississippi elections |
| Next Year: | 2007 |
| Nominee1: | Tate Reeves |
| Nominee2: | Gary Anderson |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Image1: | File:Tate Reeves.jpg |
| Popular Vote1: | 447,860 |
| Percentage1: | 51.80% |
| Popular Vote2: | 403,307 |
| Percentage2: | 46.64% |
| State Treasurer |
| Before Election: | Marshall Bennett |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Tate Reeves |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Electoral Vote1: | 66 |
| Electoral Vote2: | 56 |
| Map Size: | 150px |
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Gary Anderson
- Cindy Ayers Elliott
- Robert H. Smith
Runoff
Republican primary
Candidates
Runoff
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 | 864,674 | 100.00% | 122 | 100.0% | |
State Auditor
| Election Name: | Mississippi State Auditor election, 2003 |
| Country: | Mississippi |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Mississippi (2001–2020).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1999 Mississippi elections |
| Previous Year: | 1999 |
| Next Election: | 2007 Mississippi elections |
| Next Year: | 2007 |
| Nominee1: | Phil Bryant |
| Nominee2: | Billy Blackburn |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Party2: | Reform Party (United States) |
| Image1: | File:Governor Phil Bryant (cropped).jpg |
| Popular Vote1: | 587,212 |
| Percentage1: | 76.31% |
| Popular Vote2: | 182,292 |
| Percentage2: | 23.69% |
| State Auditor |
| Before Election: | Phil Bryant |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Phil Bryant |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Electoral Vote1: | 119 |
| Electoral Vote2: | 3 |
| Map Size: | 150px |
Reform nomination
Candidate
Republican nomination
Candidate
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 | 769,504 | 100.00% | 122 | 100.0% | |
Secretary of State
| Election Name: | Mississippi Secretary of State election, 2003 |
| Country: | Mississippi |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Mississippi (2001–2020).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1999 Mississippi elections |
| Previous Year: | 1999 |
| Next Election: | 2007 Mississippi elections |
| Next Year: | 2007 |
| Nominee1: | Eric Clark |
| Nominee2: | Julio Del Castillo |
| Nominee3: | Brenda Blackburn |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Party3: | Reform Party (United States) |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Image1: | 3x4.svg |
| Image3: | 3x4.svg |
| Popular Vote1: | 610,461 |
| Percentage1: | 71.02% |
| Popular Vote2: | 201,765 |
| Percentage2: | 23.47% |
| Popular Vote3: | 47,296 |
| Percentage3: | 5.50% |
| Secretary of State |
| Before Election: | Eric Clark |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Eric Clark |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Electoral Vote1: | 117 |
| Electoral Vote2: | 5 |
| Electoral Vote3: | 0 |
| Map Size: | 150px |
Democratic nomination
Candidate
Reform nomination
Candidate
Republican nomination
Candidate
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 | 859,522 | 100.00% | 122 | 100.0% | |
Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce
| Election Name: | Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce election, 2003 |
| Country: | Mississippi |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Mississippi (2001–2020).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1999 Mississippi elections |
| Previous Year: | 1999 |
| Next Election: | 2007 Mississippi elections |
| Next Year: | 2007 |
| Nominee1: | Lester Spell |
| Nominee2: | Max Phillips |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Image1: | Lester Spell cropped.jpg |
| Popular Vote1: | 564,283 |
| Percentage1: | 66.11% |
| Popular Vote2: | 274,097 |
| Percentage2: | 32.11% |
| Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce |
| Before Election: | Lester Spell |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Lester Spell |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Electoral Vote1: | 105 |
| Electoral Vote2: | 17 |
| Map Size: | 150px |
Democratic nomination
Candidate
Republican primary
Candidates
- Roger D. Crowder
- Kyle Weston Magee
- Max Phillips
- Fred T. Smith
Runoff
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 | 853,609 | 100.00% | 122 | 100.0% | |
Commissioner of Insurance
| Election Name: | Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance election, 2003 |
| Country: | Mississippi |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Mississippi (2001–2020).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1999 Mississippi elections |
| Previous Year: | 1999 |
| Next Election: | 2007 Mississippi elections |
| Next Year: | 2007 |
| Nominee1: | George Dale |
| Nominee2: | Aaron DuPuy |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Image1: | 3x4.svg |
| Popular Vote1: | 610,341 |
| Percentage1: | 71.27% |
| Popular Vote2: | 211,859 |
| Percentage2: | 24.77% |
| Commissioner of Insurance |
| Before Election: | George Dale |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | George Dale |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Electoral Vote1: | 114 |
| Electoral Vote2: | 8 |
Democratic nomination
Candidate
Reform nomination
Candidate
Republican nomination
Candidate
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 | | 100.00% | 122 | 100.0% | |
Public Service Commission
| Election Name: | Mississippi Public Service Commissioner, Northern District election, 2003 |
| Country: | Mississippi |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Mississippi (2001–2020).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1999 Mississippi elections |
| Previous Year: | 1999 |
| Next Election: | 2007 Mississippi elections |
| Next Year: | 2007 |
| Nominee1: | Bo Robinson |
| Nominee2: | Kerry Hunt |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Party2: | Reform Party (United States) |
| Image1: | 3x4.svg |
| Popular Vote1: | 216,331 |
| Percentage1: | 83.9% |
| Popular Vote2: | 41,610 |
| Percentage2: | 16.1% |
| Northern District Commissioner |
| Before Election: | Bo Robinson |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Bo Robinson |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
Northern district
Democrat primary
Candidates
- Bo Robinson, incumbent
- Benton White
Results
Reform nomination
Candidate
General election
Democrat Bo Robinson won over Reform Kerry Hunt.
Results
| Election Name: | Mississippi Public Service Commissioner, Central District election, 2003 |
| Country: | Mississippi |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Mississippi (2001–2020).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1999 Mississippi elections |
| Previous Year: | 1999 |
| Next Election: | 2007 Mississippi elections |
| Next Year: | 2007 |
| Nominee1: | Nielsen Cochran |
| Nominee2: | L.D. Horne, Sr. |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Image1: | 3x4.svg |
| Popular Vote1: | 164,394 |
| Percentage1: | 58.5% |
| Popular Vote2: | 110,779 |
| Percentage2: | 39.4% |
| Central District Commissioner |
| Before Election: | Nielsen Cochran |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Nielsen Cochran |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
Central district
Democratic nomination
Candidate
Reform nomination
Candidate
Candidate
- Nielsen Cochran, incumbent
General election
Republican Nielsen Cochran won over Democrat L.D. Horne Sr. and Reform Miek R. Ivey.
Results
| Election Name: | Mississippi Public Service Commissioner, Southern District election, 2003 |
| Country: | Mississippi |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Mississippi (2001–2020).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1999 Mississippi elections |
| Previous Year: | 1999 |
| Next Election: | 2007 Mississippi elections |
| Next Year: | 2007 |
| Nominee1: | Michael Callahan |
| Nominee2: | Larry Albritton |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Image1: | 3x4.svg |
| Popular Vote1: | 150,599 |
| Percentage1: | 51.3% |
| Popular Vote2: | 138,147 |
| Percentage2: | 47.0% |
| Southern District Commissioner |
| Before Election: | Michael Callahan |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Michael Callahan |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
Southern district
Democratic nomination
Candidate
- Michael Callahan, incumbent
Reform nomination
Candidate
Candidate
General election
Democrat Michael Callahan won over Republican Larry Albritton and Reform Anthony Sahuque.
Results
Transportation Commission
| Election Name: | Mississippi Transportation Commissioner, Northern District election, 2003 |
| Country: | Mississippi |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Mississippi (2001–2020).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1999 Mississippi elections |
| Previous Year: | 1999 |
| Next Election: | 2007 Mississippi elections |
| Next Year: | 2007 |
| Nominee1: | Bill R. Minor |
| Nominee2: | John M. Caldwell, Sr. |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Image1: | 3x4.svg |
| Popular Vote1: | 156,667 |
| Percentage1: | 57.6% |
| Popular Vote2: | 115,182 |
| Percentage2: | 42.4% |
| Northern District Commissioner |
| Before Election: | Zach Stewart |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Bill R. Minor |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
Northern district
Democrat primary
Candidates
- A.T. Marlar Jr.
- William R. (Bill) Minor
- Thomas (Tod) Todd
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
- John M. Caldwell Sr.
- Larry Lee
Results
General election
Democrat Bill R. Minor won over Republican John M. Caldwell Sr.
Results
| Election Name: | Mississippi Transportation Commissioner, Central District election, 2003 |
| Country: | Mississippi |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Mississippi (2001–2020).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1999 Mississippi elections |
| Previous Year: | 1999 |
| Next Election: | 2007 Mississippi elections |
| Next Year: | 2007 |
| Nominee1: | Dick Hall |
| Nominee2: | W.C. Alderman |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Image1: | Dick Hall_MS.jpg |
| Popular Vote1: | 152,320 |
| Percentage1: | 54.3% |
| Popular Vote2: | 123,013 |
| Percentage2: | 43.9% |
| Central District Commissioner |
| Before Election: | Dick Hall |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Dick Hall |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
Central district
Democratic nomination
Candidate
Reform nomination
Candidate
Candidate
General election
Republican Dick Hall won over Democrat W.C. Alderman and Reform Jimmy Loper.
Results
| Election Name: | Mississippi Transportation Commissioner, Southern District election, 2003 |
| Country: | Mississippi |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Mississippi (2001–2020).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1999 Mississippi elections |
| Previous Year: | 1999 |
| Next Election: | 2007 Mississippi elections |
| Next Year: | 2007 |
| Nominee1: | Wayne Brown |
| Nominee2: | Arlin Regan |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Image1: | 3x4.svg |
| Popular Vote1: | 165,109 |
| Percentage1: | 56.1% |
| Popular Vote2: | 117,941 |
| Percentage2: | 40.1% |
| Southern District Commissioner |
| Before Election: | Wayne Brown |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Wayne Brown |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
Southern district
Democratic nomination
Candidate
Reform nomination
Candidate
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Democrat Wayne H. Brown won over Republican Arlin Regan and Reform Virgil C. Smith.
Results
References
Works cited
- Book: . Mississippi Official and Statistical Register 2004–2008 . Mississippi Secretary of State . 2005 . Jackson.
Notes and References
- Web site: Candidate aims to break race barrier . 2023-04-22 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
- Web site: January 21, 2019 . Judge James L. Roberts Jr. lauded for public service - State of Mississippi Judiciary News . April 22, 2023 . State of Mississippi Judiciary.
