Republican Gov. Tate Reeves is projected to win reelection in Mississippi.
Nov. 7, 2023, was Election Day in at least 37 states, and Americans cast their votes on everything from governorships to local referenda. When the dust settled, it was a solid night for Democrats and their allies: According to ABC News projections, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear won reelection in Kentucky, and Ohio voters passed Issue 1 to codify abortion rights in the state constitution. The AP also projected that Democrats won both chambers of the Virginia legislature and an open seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. However, there were a few bright spots for Republicans: ABC News projected that Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves beat back a strong challenge from Democrat Brandon Presley.
As results came in, 538 analysts were breaking them down in real time with live updates, analysis and commentary. Read our full live blog below.
In 2021 and 2022, Republicans made serious inroads on Long Island, New York, winning the Nassau County executive race and putting up strong margins in the gubernatorial race. Tonight, according to the AP, they went a step further and won the Suffolk County executive race. Republican Edward Romaine defeated Democrat David Calone to win this open seat for the GOP for the first time in 20 years.
—Nathaniel Rakich, 538
It flew under the radar, but today Texas voters weighed in on Proposition 13, which would have raised the mandatory retirement age for state judges from 75 to 79 — effectively allowing for older elected officials. Voters rejected the proposal, 62 percent to 38 percent. It was a strong statement against the so-called “gerontocracy” at a time when there is widespread concern about the age of major politicians, like Biden, Trump and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
—Nathaniel Rakich, 538
ABC News projects that no candidate will receive 50 percent in the race for mayor in Houston, meaning the race will go to a runoff. Democratic state Sen. John Whitmire and Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee will face off on Dec. 9, in what’s technically a nonpartisan election for mayor. With 54 percent of the expected vote reported, Whitmire leads with 43 percent, followed by Jackson Lee with 37 percent.
— Leah Askarinam, 538
In Mississippi, Republicans look somewhat favored to hold onto the governorship. Reeves leads Presley by 11 points, 54.8 percent to 43.8 percent, with two-thirds of the expected vote reporting. However, much of heavily Democratic Hinds County has still not reported, so that margin will tighten. The question is, how much? Looking at the aggregate vote in the 14 counties where 90 percent or more of the expected vote has reported, Reeves is running about 1 point behind his 2019 victory margin. But considering he won by 5 points in 2019, that trend still points to a narrow victory. Critically, it may also be enough to clear 50 percent to avoid a runoff under Mississippi law, which requires the winning candidate to have a majority of the vote. Gwendolyn Gray, an independent, dropped out before the election and endorsed Presley, but she remained on the ballot. She currently has 1.4 percent of the vote, which could be enough to throw it to a runoff if Presley can really close the current gap.
—Geoffrey Skelley, 538
