The 2015 Mississippi gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 2015, to elect the governor of Mississippi. Incumbent Republican governor Phil Bryant won a second and final term in office with more than 66% of votes. This is the highest percentage and vote share that a Republican has ever won in a gubernatorial election in Mississippi.
The election gained national news coverage and attention due to the unexpected Democratic nominee selection of truck driver and former firefighter, Robert Gray, who had not had any political experience prior to his candidacy. As of 2026, this is the last time that the following counties have voted Republican for governor: Clay, Marshall, Quitman, Sharkey, and Tallahatchie.
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Background
Mississippi is one of nine states and territories that has lifetime limits of two terms for its governor. In 2011, with incumbent Republican governor Haley Barbour term-limited, Republican Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant was elected to succeed him. Bryant won the Republican primary with 59% of the vote and then defeated the Democratic nominee, Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree, with 61% of the vote.
Republican primary
Candidates
Phil Bryant, incumbent governor
Mitch Young
Chris McDaniel, state senator and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014
Michael Watson, state senator
Democratic primary
Candidates
Robert Gray, truck driver and retired firefighter
Valerie Short, physician
Vicki Slater, attorney
Travis Childers, former U.S. representative and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2014
Jim Hood, Attorney General of Mississippi (running for re-election)
Bill Luckett, Mayor of Clarksdale and candidate for governor in 2011
Dick Molpus, former Secretary of State of Mississippi and nominee for governor in 1995
Brandon Presley, Commissioner for the Northern District of the Mississippi Public Service Commission and former mayor of Nettleton (running for re-election)
Reform Party nomination
Candidate
Shawn O'Hara, perennial candidate
General election
Results
Adams (largest city: Natchez)
Clay (largest city: West Point)
Jasper (largest city: Bay Springs)
Kemper (largest city: De Kalb)
Marshall (largest city: Holly Springs)
Quitman (largest city: Marks)
Sharkey (largest city: Rolling Fork)
Tallahatchie (largest city: Charleston)
Bryant won three of four congressional districts.
