Mississippi governor ignores low-budget challengers in GOP primary, focusing on Democrat in November

JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves barely acknowledges his two challengers in next week’s Republican primary — a clear indication that he expects to secure his party’s nomination.

Reeves is already focusing his energy on defeating Brandon Presley, a utility regulator who is unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Reeves brings the power of incumbency, but Democrats are hoping the cousin of rock legend Elvis Presley can break Republicans’ 20-year hold on the governorship.

Reeves’ Republican primary opponents, Dr. John Witcher and David Grady Hardigree, have never held public office. Reeves has won five statewide campaigns since 2003 — two for treasurer, two for lieutenant governor and one for governor.

Unseating any governor is difficult, and the task is even larger when the incumbent has a hefty campaign fund. Reeves is sitting on more than $9 million, while Witcher has spent about $64,000 and Hardigree has spent less than $800.

Witcher, 57, is a physician who founded Mississippi Against Mandates, a group that opposes vaccine mandates and promotes the narrative that COVID-19 vaccinations can be harmful — a position refuted by scientists.

Hardigree, 63, is a military veteran who says God called him to run for governor.

Both criticize Reeves, 49, for signing a law in 2020 to retire the last state flag in the U.S. that included the Confederate battle emblem. The change came during a nationwide racial reckoning after police in Minneapolis killed George Floyd, one of several incidents nationally in which aggressive behavior by police officers ignited protests.

Reeves said for years that if Mississippi were to change the flag, it should only be done by a…