[youtube FQ8VBYnf_oU]<\/p>\n

Jhade\u2019 Norris
\n<\/strong>MC Contributor\/Staff Writer<\/em><\/p>\n

Incumbent Governor Phil Bryant was victorious in the 2015 Mississippi Gubernatorial election. The election, which took place on Tuesday Nov. 3, 2015, included incumbent Bryant (R), Robert Gray (D), and Shawn O\u2019Hara of the Reform Party.<\/p>\n

The race concluded with Gov. Bryant leading the polls at 66.6 percent, Robert Gray at 32 percent and Shawn O\u2019Hara with 1.4 percent of the votes.<\/p>\n

Gov. Bryant, a Moorehead, Miss. native, is the third Mississippi governor to win back-to-back four-year terms.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe election was almost predictable for me.\u00a0 Most people who I have talked to about the race agreed that Phil Bryant would be taking the position for Mississippi state governor for a second term,\u201d said Shayla Perkins, a biology\/pre-nursing major from Jackson, Miss.<\/p>\n

The primary elections were conducted on Aug. 4 and Mississippi is one of 21 states with a mixed primary system. Voters did not have to register with a party, but they were expected to support the party nominations if they voted in the primary election.<\/p>\n

In the race, Bryant spent $2.7 million and defeated Gray, a truck driver who spent just over $3,000, and O\u2019Hara, who spent $300 according to published reports.<\/p>\n

Prior to becoming governor, Bryant earned an associate\u2019s degree in criminal justice from Hinds Community College, a bachelor\u2019s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a master\u2019s in political science from Mississippi College.<\/p>\n

While in office, Gov. Bryant stated his focus has been on growing the economy and improving education. Under his leadership, Mississippi has moved up in the rankings. Mississippi is now one of the best 10 places for economic development in the country, according to theclarionledger.com.<\/p>\n

Second in the polls was Gray, a 46-year-old Jackson, Miss. native, graduate of Provine High School, former fire fighter and current truck driver.<\/p>\n

Unlike his competitors, Gray had no political background but has shown concern for the issues regarding the state\u2019s flag, education, and Medicare. Even though Gray does not have healthcare himself, it is one of his biggest concerns as well as the education platform according to clarionledger.com.<\/p>\n

O\u2019Hara, a Canton, Miss. native, received both his bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s from William Carey University. O\u2019Hara is a business consultant and self-employe<\/p>\n

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d movie producer.<\/p>\n

In the 2011 elections, O\u2019Hara ran for the positions of state governor and treasurer. O\u2019Hara was removed from the gubernatorial ballot before the general election.<\/p>\n

According to clarion-ledger.com, O\u2019Hara\u2019s platform was based on making sure Mississippi\u2019s economy was strong by lowering gas prices, stop charging tax on food, beginning a state lottery, paying teachers $4,000 per month\/$48000 per year; accepting billions of dollars from Washington to immediately insure over 100,000 additional working poor Mississippians and firing 144 of Mississippi\u2019s 174 state lawmakers.<\/p>\n

\u201cO\u2019Hara had many valid points within his campaign platform but I think he did not campaign enough in order to show the people of Mississippi that he was serious about being governor,\u201d said Jacqueline Creekmore, a freshman biology major from Chicago, Ill.<\/p>\n

Other JSU students and staff members weighed in on how they feel about Gov. Bryant\u2019s re-election.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a sad day for Mississippi. I don\u2019t think people understand that elections affect our everyday lives and our children\u2019s lives. People need to think about how our current government has negatively affected our state, then they wouldn\u2019t be so quick to re-elect people who don\u2019t have the citizen\u2019s best interests,\u201d said Yolanda Williams, a visiting professor in the Department of Speech Communications.<\/p>\n

Deirdra Glover, a junior mass communication major from Jackson, Miss., was also not pleased with the results of the governor\u2019s race.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel that the majority of Mississippians vote against their interests because they\u2019re afraid of change, even positive change. The only way Mississippi is going to rise from dead last is through an educated constituency, and Gov. Bryant and his allies have shown that an educated Mississippi is the most dangerous opposition to the Southern strategy,\u201d said Glover.<\/p>\n

The following story was completed with the help of students in the Mass Communication Introduction to News Reporting class. Contributors included: Sierra Abbott, Kayla Blue, Gabrielle Brawner, Breyionna Flowers, Feunshay Jenkins, and Aaron Rhaney.<\/em><\/p>\n