Annual campaign finance reports show potential top contenders for Mississippi governor in 2027 were busy fundraising last year. 

Potential gubernatorial candidates all increased their cash on hand from last year. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, Attorney General Lynn Fitch and State Auditor Shad White, billionaire businessman Tommy Duff and former House Speaker Philip Gunn are all considered potential candidates. Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson has already declared his candidacy for the governor’s mansion, but he trails his potential rivals in fundraising totals. 

Gov. Tate Reeves is term limited from running again.

Duff, who is the co-richest person in Mississippi along with his brother according to Forbes, is a newcomer to politics and has not created a campaign committee.

Mississippi Today also reviewed campaign finance reports for House Speaker Jason White, as well as potential statewide candidates for other offices. Secretary of State Michael Watson has expressed interest in running for lieutenant governor. State Sen. Jeff Tate has declared his candidacy for secretary of state. Former state Rep. Nick Bain is a potential candidate for state auditor, and Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell is a potential candidate for attorney general. 

Below is a breakdown of fundraising totals for potential candidates whose reports were on the Secretary of State’s website as of Feb. 2. The deadline for filing the reports was Friday.

Gov. Tate Reeves: 

Contributions received last year: $81,851

Money spent last year: $135,883

Cash on hand: $2 million

Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann: 

Contributions received last year: $1.6 million

Money spent last year: $404,112

Cash on hand: $2.8 million

Attorney General Lynn Fitch: 

Contributions received last year: $1.6 million

Money spent last year: $615,053

Cash on hand: $3.5 million

State Auditor Shad White: 

Contributions received last year: $1 million

Money spent last year: $216,876

Cash on hand: $3.8 million 

Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson: 

Contributions received last year: $477,481

Money spent last year: $443,367

Cash on hand: $272,148

Former House Speaker Philip Gunn:

Contributions received last year: $84,392

Money spent last year: $132,659

Cash on hand: $590,531

House Speaker Jason White: 

Contributions received last year: $268,700

Money spent last year: $44,105

Cash on hand: $1.1 million

Secretary of State Michael Watson: 

Contributions received last year: $1.1 million

Money spent last year: $182,905

Cash on hand: $2.4 million

State Treasurer David McRae: 

Contributions received last year: $125,940

Money spent last year: $112,061

Cash on hand: $84,959

Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney: 

Contributions received last year:  $66,213

Money spent last year:  $ 64,568 

Cash on hand:  $196,822

Former state Rep. Nick Bain: 

Contributions received last year: $122,750

Money spent last year: $7,490

Cash on hand: $239,830

State Sen. Jeff Tate

Contributions received last year: $1,250

Money spent last year: Did not list 

Cash on hand: $156,000

Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell

Contributions received last year: $478,985

Money spent last year: $0

Cash on hand: $507,339

Mississippi Today reporter Taylor Vance contributed to this report