AP Newsguide: Mississippi statewide and regional candidates

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi voters on Tuesday will elect eight statewide officials, six regional commissioners and 174 legislators. Two school funding proposals are also on the ballot.

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STATEWIDE OFFICES

Governor- Republican Phil Bryant seeks a second term. He is challenged by Democrat Robert Gray, a truck driver running a low-budget campaign; and the Reform Party’s Shawn O’Hara, who has run unsuccessfully for several offices the past two decades.

Lieutenant Governor - Republican Tate Reeves seeks a second term. He is outspending Democrat Tim Johnson, a former Republican state senator who switched parties to challenge Reeves. Libertarian Ron Williams and the Reform Party’s Rosa B. Williams are running low-budget campaigns.

Secretary of State - Republican Delbert Hosemann seeks a third term. Democrat Charles E. Graham and the Reform Party’s Randy Walker have spent little to campaign.

Attorney General - Democrat Jim Hood seeks a fourth term. In this year’s most competitive statewide race, he is challenged by Republican Mike Hurst, a former federal prosecutor.

Auditor - Republican Stacey Pickering seeks a third term and is outspending Democrat Jocelyn “Joce” Pepper Pritchett and the Reform Party’s Lajena Walley.

Treasurer - Republican Lynn Fitch seeks a second term. She faces a Reform Party candidate, Viola V. McFarland, who has spent little.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce - Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith seeks a second term and is outspending Democrat Addie Lee Green and the Reform Party’s Cathy L. Toole.

Insurance commissioner - Republican Mike Chaney is unopposed in seeking a third term.

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REGIONAL OFFICES

Public Service Commission

- Northern District: Democrat Brandon Presley seeks a third term. He faces Republican Mike Maynard.

- Central District: Democratic state Rep. Cecil Brown, Republican Brent Bailey and the Reform Party’s LaTrice D. Notree are running for an open seat.

- Southern District: Democrat Tom Blanton, Republican Samuel F. “Sam” Britton and the Reform Party’s Lonny Kenneth Spence are running for an open seat.

Transportation Commission

- Northern District: Republican incumbent Mike Tagert seeks a second full term. He faces Democrat Danny Woods.

- Central District: Republican Dick Hall seeks a fourth full term. He faces Democratic state Rep. Mary H. Coleman.

- Southern District: Republican Tom King seeks a second term. He faces Democrat Danny Woods and the Reform Party’s Sheranda Atkinson.

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SCHOOL FUNDING PROPOSALS

Initiative 42 got on the ballot through a citizen petition process. It says: “Should the state be required to provide for the support of an adequate and efficient system of free public schools?”

Alternative Measure 42-A was put on the ballot as an alternative by legislators who oppose 42. It says: “Should the Legislature provide for the establishment and support of effective free public schools without judicial enforcement?”

The ballot has a two-part voting process. The first vote is either to accept one of the proposals or to reject them both. The second vote is to choose between 42 and 42-A.

Adopting one of the proposed constitutional amendments requires two things:

- On the accept/reject question, a majority vote is needed to accept.

- On the second part, one of the proposals must receive at least 40 percent of the total number of votes cast in Tuesday’s election.