With just over 50% of precincts reporting, Lt. Governor Tate Reeves was declared the winner of the Republican gubernatorial primary runoff election. When the race was called at 8:45 p.m., Reeves held around a 12% lead over former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Bill Waller Jr.
Related: Mississippi runoff election results
Reeves’ victory in the runoff sets up a matchup against Democratic nominee and current Attorney General Jim Hood in November’s general election.
Shortly after the race was called, Reeves gave his victory speech at his campaign event in Jackson. The GOP gubernatorial nominee attempted to highlight the differences between himself and Hood ahead of what he said will be a “very tough campaign” with high stakes.
Following his defeat, Waller addressed his supporters and said that he was proud of the campaign he ran. The former Supreme Court Justice said that, even though he didn’t win, his campaign “moved the needle a little bit” and elevated some issues over the last few months.
The general election is set for November 5th.
