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Jhade’ Norris
MC Contributor/Staff Writer
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’Hara of the Reform Party.
The race concluded with Gov. Bryant leading the polls at 66.6 percent, Robert Gray at 32 percent and Shawn O’Hara with 1.4 percent of the votes.
Gov. Bryant, a Moorehead, Miss. native, is the third Mississippi governor to win back-to-back four-year terms.
“The election was almost predictable for me. 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,” said Shayla Perkins, a biology/pre-nursing major from Jackson, Miss.
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.
In the race, Bryant spent $2.7 million and defeated Gray, a truck driver who spent just over $3,000, and O’Hara, who spent $300 according to published reports.
Prior to becoming governor, Bryant earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Hinds Community College, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a master’s in political science from Mississippi College.
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.
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.
Unlike his competitors, Gray had no political background but has shown concern for the issues regarding the state’s 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.
O’Hara, a Canton, Miss. native, received both his bachelor’s and master’s from William Carey University. O’Hara is a business consultant and self-employe
d movie producer.
In the 2011 elections, O’Hara ran for the positions of state governor and treasurer. O’Hara was removed from the gubernatorial ballot before the general election.
According to clarion-ledger.com, O’Hara’s platform was based on making sure Mississippi’s 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’s 174 state lawmakers.
“O’Hara 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,” said Jacqueline Creekmore, a freshman biology major from Chicago, Ill.
Other JSU students and staff members weighed in on how they feel about Gov. Bryant’s re-election.
“It’s a sad day for Mississippi. I don’t think people understand that elections affect our everyday lives and our children’s lives. People need to think about how our current government has negatively affected our state, then they wouldn’t be so quick to re-elect people who don’t have the citizen’s best interests,” said Yolanda Williams, a visiting professor in the Department of Speech Communications.
Deirdra Glover, a junior mass communication major from Jackson, Miss., was also not pleased with the results of the governor’s race.
“I feel that the majority of Mississippians vote against their interests because they’re 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,” said Glover.
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.
