Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has officially been sworn in to serve his second term in the state’s highest elected office.
During a Tuesday inauguration at the State Capitol, Reeves took the oath of office, which was presided over by Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Michael Randolph. In his inaugural address, Reeves expressed gratitude to the people of the Magnolia State for giving him four more years as governor.
“It is the single highest honor of my professional life to serve as the governor of the great state of Mississippi,” Reeves said. “And it brings me tremendous joy to stand before great leaders, the people of Mississippi, and God to take this oath today.”
Reeves was first elected to statewide office in 2003 as Mississippi’s first-ever Republican treasurer. He has since held the office of lieutenant governor for two terms and defeated fierce Democratic challengers in former Attorney General Jim Hood and Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley to secure a seat in the governor’s office for consecutive terms.
The newly reelected governor touted his record in his first four years, which included the state’s largest teacher pay raise, the highest tax cut in Mississippi history, and the biggest economic development project the state has ever seen. Reeves vowed to build on the success he says the state experienced under his leadership.
“Four years ago, I called for a pay raise for our teachers. Together, we secured the largest pay raise in state history. Four years ago, I said we would travel the world to bring more great companies to Mississippi. Together, we secured record-breaking economic investment, which included the single largest economic deal in state history,” Reeves added. “And you ain’t seen nothing yet! We’ve got some big things coming. Projects that will fundamentally change lives and transform our state for the better.”
Another objective for Reeves is to retain Mississippi’s residents by incentivizing them to pursue a career and life in the state instead of seeking opportunities elsewhere. Elected officials throughout the state have long sounded the alarm over an apparent “brain drain,” or wave of individuals leaving Mississippi to establish themselves in other states.
Reeves referred to his new initiative to keep residents in the state long-term as “Mississippi Forever” and plans to achieve it by promoting economic prosperity, education advancements, and strides in public safety.
“Our goal must be what I call Mississippi Forever. I want to build a state where my daughters and all of our sons and daughters can proudly stay and raise their families,” Reeves said. “I want every kid, from the Delta to the Coast, from Tishomingo to Tallahatchie, to grow up with the idea that they’ll be Mississippi Forever. I want every child to have the opportunities for an education, and a career, that enable them to be Mississippi Forever. I want companies that are born here, to know they can grow here – Mississippi Forever.”
Reeves will serve in the position until January 2028.
