Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson, a Republican, announced Monday that he will not seek a third term but said he intends to remain involved in politics. “I will be on the ballot,” Watson said at a Stennis Capitol Press Forum in Jackson, The Magnolia Tribune reported.
The Magnolia Tribune reported that political rumors across the state suggest Watson may be eyeing the lieutenant governor’s post in 2027. The report noted that Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, a Republican and former secretary of state, is term-limited and has been mentioned as a potential gubernatorial candidate in 2027. Watson declined to elaborate on his future plans, the Tribune said.
Watson served three terms in the Mississippi Senate before being elected to two terms as secretary of state, The Magnolia Tribune reported. During his tenure, he has pushed for greater transparency in campaign finance, sought to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses and emphasized steps to strengthen election integrity.
Speaking to reporters at Hal and Mal’s, Watson said voters should have confidence in the March 10 primary elections for U.S. Senate and U.S. House seats and credited the use of paper ballots for increasing trust since the COVID-19 pandemic. “At the end of the day, what’s going to rule is paper ballots,” he said, The Magnolia Tribune reported.
Watson also discussed campaign finance reform and a bill identified as SB 2589, which The Magnolia Tribune reported had its House action paused and faces possible death if not voted on by Tuesday. He called the failure to advance the measure “absolutely ridiculous,” saying it would leave “Mississippi behind the curve,” and highlighted the Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking program as a business-led effort to spot signs of human trafficking. “It’s all our jobs,” he said, the Tribune reported.
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
