Michael Watson announces run for MS secretary of state reelection, not for governor

Wicker Perlis, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
·2 min read
Republican Secretary of State Micahel Watson qualified for reelection Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 at the Mississippi Republican Party headquarters in Jackson.
Republican Secretary of State Micahel Watson qualified for reelection Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 at the Mississippi Republican Party headquarters in Jackson.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Secretary of State Michael Watson announced Wednesday afternoon that he will be running for reelection, putting to rest months of speculation that he may challenge an incumbent for another office.

Watson, who was a member of the state senate before running for secretary of state in 2019, officially qualified for the race after signing papers at the state Republican Party headquarters in Jackson earlier Wednesday.

"I’m excited to ask Mississippians for four more years as your Secretary of State. I look forward to traveling our beloved state visiting with you and earning your support for another term as your Secretary of State," Watson said in a statement.

The Pascagoula native reportedly seriously considered challenging incumbent Gov. Tate Reeves, a fellow Republican, for the state's top job. Speculation ramped up last summer, when Watson was the only political speaker at the Neshoba County Fair not to list an office on his campaign signs, instead opting for "Michael Watson for Mississippi." In December, the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported that Watson had conducted internal polling for a possible run against Reeves.

Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson poses with his wife Lauren after qualifying for reelection Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 at the Mississippi Republican Party headquarters in Jackson.
Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson poses with his wife Lauren after qualifying for reelection Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 at the Mississippi Republican Party headquarters in Jackson.

While his announcement puts that speculation to an end, it also seemed to explain his decision not to run for higher office.

"While I believe Mississippi would be more prosperous with better leadership at the top, leadership that fostered teamwork as opposed to micromanagement, leadership that cared more for Mississippi than politics, I’m not at peace leaving the work we’ve started here at the Secretary of State’s office because there’s a lot more to be done," Watson said.

Specifically, Watson vowed to continue work on election security, cutting regulatory red tape and combating human trafficking, among other priorities.

Watson is the first secretary of state candidate to file paperwork with the Mississippi GOP. Former congressional candidate Shuwaski Young has announced his intention to run for the secretary of state seat in the Democratic primary. Candidates have until Feb. 1 to file for their respective races.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Secretary of State Michael Watson announces 2023 run for reelection