Hosemann drew a primary challenge from state senator
Chris McDaniel, who is best known for nearly unseating U.S. Senator
Thad Cochran in his
2014 primary.[1] McDaniel accused Hosemann of being a "liberal" and criticized him for allowing Democrats to chair committees in the state senate, labeling him "Delbert 'the Democrat' Hosemann."[2] In response, Hosemann defended his conservative credentials and called McDaniel "the least effective politician in the state with the largest ego."[1] Marketing executive Ryan Grover was the only Democrat who filed to run.[3]
Republican primary
Governor
Tate Reeves declined to endorse in the Republican primary for
Lieutenant Governor, however, he did not keep his frustrations with incumbent Lieutenant Governor
Hosemann a secret, implying to reporters that there is only one "conservative candidate running" for the position.[4] This led to
Mississippi Republican Party chairman Frank Bordeaux having to get involved behind the scenes to quell tensions between Hosemann and
McDaniel.[4]
In campaign ads, speeches, interviews, and social media posts, McDaniel tied Hosemann to the South Jackson Women's Clinic, in attempts to attack Hosemann's record on the issue of abortion. According to
The Associated Press, the physician who runs the clinic, however, didn't start performing abortions until after Hosemann provided legal services to the clinic. In response, Hosemann called McDaniel a "pathological liar" and accused him of defamation.[5]
On August 2, Hosemann accused McDaniel of not living in the district where he votes, saying that "it appears doubtful that he lived in his district, which means he voted illegally." McDaniel claimed that the allegations are "just [Hosemann] being desperate."[6]
^Key: A – all adults RV – registered voters LV – likely voters V – unclear
Partisan clients
^This poll was sponsored by the
National Apartment Association and the
National Association of Realtors; the Mississippi branch of the latter group has endorsed Hosemann. The poll was never officially released, and was instead leaked by the Magnolia Tribune in June 2023.[10]