JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi’s gubernatorial election could hinge on turnout among Black voters, who haven’t wielded political influence commensurate to their share of the state population, the Democratic nominee said Friday.
At a campaign event in the 80% Black state capital of Jackson just over one month before Election Day, Brandon Presley said Black voters could help carry him to victory. He also accused incumbent Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, who is seeking reelection, of hoping they stay home.
“Black Mississippi and white Mississippi have been purposefully, strategically and with intent divided over racial lines. Intentionally divided for two things: Money and power,” Presley said. “Tate Reeves and that sleazy little crowd he runs around with are sitting over there today hoping that Black voters do not come vote in November.”
Speaking to a crowd at a blues club in Jackson’s Farish Street Historic District, Presley said the interests of Mississippi’s 40% Black population — the largest of any state by percentage — had been underserved during Reeves’ term. Roughly a quarter of Jackson residents live in poverty, and its tax base has eroded the past few decades amid mostly white flight to suburbs.
“This race for governor comes down to somebody that cares about the city of Jackson versus somebody who has shown you for 12 years that he could care less about the city of Jackson,” said Presley, who is white. “And whether Tate Reeves believes it or not, the Mississippi Delta is still in Mississippi.”
Before becoming governor in 2019, Reeves served two terms as lieutenant governor and two terms as state treasurer.
Reeves’ campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reeves has said he helped restore service to Jackson during its 2022 water crisis. He has also touted tornado relief efforts and initiatives to shore up broadband access in the rural Mississippi Delta, another Democratic stronghold with a large Black population.
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