Reeves says special session likely to redraw Mississippi legislative districts
NESHOBA COUNTY, Miss. — Gov. Tate Reeves said Thursday he will likely call lawmakers into a special legislative session to redraw state legislative districts, though he did not set a date.
Speaking to reporters at the Neshoba County Fair on June 25, Reeves said he expects lawmakers to eventually redraw congressional, judicial and legislative districts and that he believes legislative redistricting will be taken up in a special session before January. “I’ve spent a lot of time giving serious consideration to it,” Reeves said. “I expect it to happen. I’m not going to tell you a date today because I don’t know a date today.”
Reeves said he is also considering adding reforms to the state’s youth court system to the agenda, saying lawmakers mistakenly let the laws creating Mississippi’s youth courts expire earlier this year.
House Speaker Jason White said Thursday he anticipates the House and Senate will form a joint committee to tackle redistricting, and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said Wednesday that he also wants legislators to redraw political districts. White warned that conversations about redistricting can spark impassioned debates over race relations in Mississippi’s history. “This isn’t about erasing our past or forgetting any of that,” White said. “This is about what’s best for Mississippi.”
Reeves, who is finishing his second term and is barred by term limits from seeking reelection, urged voters to choose a conservative successor to carry on the state’s economic and education gains. “It shouldn’t be a popularity contest,” Reeves said. “It shouldn’t be about who spends the most money. It shouldn’t be about who knows the most people in one part of the state or the other. It should be based on policy, because elections have consequences.”
Several potential and declared candidates for governor attended the fair. Republican Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson, one of two declared 2027 gubernatorial candidates, called himself the “un-candidate” and said he would not be beholden to big-money special interests. “I hope I die five minutes before I ever become a country club Republican,” Gipson said. Former House Speaker Philip Gunn spent two days meeting fairgoers but was not on the speaking schedule. Billionaire businessman Tommy Duff said it was “pretty early” for him to decide whether to run. Secretary of State Michael Watson, who has announced a bid for lieutenant governor, said he would focus on reducing business regulations and bridging divides if elected. “If I’m your next lieutenant governor, it’s going to happen,” Watson said.
Speeches at the fair included several colorful lines. Central District Public Service Commissioner De’Keither Stamps said, “We’ve got too many folks in government politicking when you should be governing,” and Central District Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons quipped, “I look at it like I have 22 wives.”
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