Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced her Mississippi gubernatorial candidacy last week at a campaign tour stop in Tupelo and is now set to compete against Agricultural Commissioner Andy Gipson and former House Speaker Philip Gunn in the Republican primary.
Gipson has been the AG commissioner since being appointed by former governor Phil Bryant in 2018; Gunn spent 20 years in the Mississippi House and served as speaker from 2012-2024.
In her announcement speech, Fitch spoke on what would make her the best fit for the job, reports Mississippi Today.
"Mississippi is on the verge of moving from the nation's best-kept secret to the nation's leader in conservative governance," Fitch said.
One of her biggest political moments came in 2022, when attorneys from her office argued the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case, which helped overturn Roe v. Wade. The decision, which returned the relegation of abortion back to the states, thrust Fitch into the national spotlight and led to abortion being almost entirely banned in Mississippi.
While gaining the ire of supporters of abortion rights, she gained a foothold among Mississippi conservatives.
“I don't mind making those tough choices. I don't mind getting in those lawsuits. I don't mind protecting and standing up for Mississippians and will always continue to do that,” Fitch stated.
She said that she is a "Trump conservative with Mississippi values" and, if elected, would be the first female governor of the state of Mississippi.
The highest state office held by a woman in Mississippi is lieutenant governor, which is the second-highest ranking position in the state. The office was held by Evelyn Grandy (1976-1980) and Amy Tuck (2000-2008).
Fitch has already become the first woman attorney general in the state.
In her campaign speech, Fitch also mentioned the "Mississippi Miracle," which is the educational surge that has seen the state rise in the national education rankings.
The aptly named “Mississippi Miracle” is due to the fact that Mississippi ranked last nationally in education in 2012 but now lists as No. 16 in the nation.
“Now, is the Mississippi Momentum! Now, we have to continue to move forward in our education and be the leaders in that regard,” Fitch stated.
She has big plans if elected.
“So, as your governor, there are some major things I'd like to focus on: making life more affordable, continuing to have safer communities and truly strengthening our economic development,” Fitch said.
The Mississippi Primary is in 2027, and current Gov. Tate Reeves is term limited.
