Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson announced a campaign for lieutenant governor in April and has launched an 11-city tour, he told Magnolia Tribune. Watson said the response to his campaign has been “fantastic,” and Magnolia Tribune reported he is currently the only candidate — Republican or Democrat — openly stumping for the office.
Watson is a two-term secretary of state and served three terms in the Mississippi Senate, Magnolia Tribune reported. He was first elected to the Senate in 2007 and won the secretary of state post in 2019, defeating Johnny DuPree in the general election, and won re-election in 2023, the Tribune said.
According to his year-end campaign finance report filed in January, Watson had nearly $2.5 million in cash on hand, Magnolia Tribune reported. Watson told the paper he views fundraising as relationship building, saying, “It’s not just about the dollar to me. It’s about how can I be beneficial to this individual… how can I build them into our team.”
Watson said his campaign is built on conservative priorities such as public safety, roads and bridges, and public education. He told Magnolia Tribune he wants conservative chairs on Senate committees that handle major policy, citing Public Health, Appropriations and Finance as examples. The Tribune noted Democratic state Sen. Hob Bryan currently chairs the Senate Public Health Committee.
Watson said his combined executive experience as secretary of state and legislative experience make him qualified for lieutenant governor and stressed the importance of relationships with the next governor and House Speaker. Magnolia Tribune reported former Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant has endorsed Watson’s campaign.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
