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2015 Mississippi gubernatorial election

The 2015 Mississippi gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 2015, to elect the governor of Mississippi. Incumbent Republican governor Phil Bryant won a second and final term in office with more than 66% of votes. This is the highest percentage and vote share that a Republican has ever won in a gubernatorial election in Mississippi.

The election gained national news coverage and attention due to the unexpected Democratic nominee selection of truck driver and former firefighter, Robert Gray, who had not had any political experience prior to his candidacy. As of 2026, this is the last time that the following counties have voted Republican for governor: Clay, Marshall, Quitman, Sharkey, and Tallahatchie.

Background

Mississippi is one of nine states and territories that has lifetime limits of two terms for its governor. In 2011, with incumbent Republican governor Haley Barbour term-limited, Republican Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant was elected to succeed him. Bryant won the Republican primary with 59% of the vote and then defeated the Democratic nominee, Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree, with 61% of the vote.

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Declined

Result

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

  • Robert Gray, truck driver and retired firefighter
  • Valerie Short, physician
  • Vicki Slater, attorney

Declined

Result

Reform Party nomination

Candidate

General election

Predictions

Polling

Results

By county

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

By congressional district

Bryant won three of four congressional districts.

See also

References

External links

Campaign websites (archived)