Brandon Presley in 2023 MS Governor's race

On Abortion: Pro-life and pro-Second Amendment

Like past Democratic candidates, Presley has staked out conservative positions on issues like abortion and guns. Though he does not mention either topic in his announcement video, he has repeatedly described himself as "pro-life" and a supporter of Second Amendment Rights in the past. Source: Mississippi Free Press on 2023 Mississippi Governor race Jan 12, 2023

On Budget & Economy: I'm a very, very fiscally conservative person

His voting record is pretty conservative. He has voted against more rate increases than any other commissioner in the history of the Mississippi Public Service Commission, an elected body that regulates telecommunications, electric, gas, water and sewer utilities. As mayor, he gave the town its first property tax cut in the entire history of the city. "I'm a very, very fiscally conservative person. At the very same time I believe in delivering services," he said. Source: Real Clear Politics on 2023 Mississippi Gubernatorial race Sep 4, 2018

On Civil Rights: His views on issues about the LGBTQ community remain unknown

As Northern District Public Service Commissioner, Presley is the highest elected Democratic state official. Fifteen years of service on the commission, though, rarely involved taking positions on hot-button social issues like LGBTQ rights. His views on many social issues, including those impacting the LGBTQ community, remain largely unknown. Source: Clarion Ledger on 2023 Mississippi Gubernatorial race Mar 6, 2023

On Drugs: TVA must provide power to medical marijuana facilities

Presley said the Tennessee Valley Authority should not be concerned about which business receives power from those local providers. "It is a long-held principle in state law that electric utilities have an obligation to serve customers without discrimination," Presley said. "A licensed medical marijuana facility under Mississippi law is no different." Presley said that any licensed medical marijuana facility should be served with electricity upon application and request. Source: HottyToddy.com on 2023 Mississippi Gubernatorial race Feb 10, 2022

On Energy & Oil: Incentivize solar energy in schools and residential areas

After several top officials criticized a program designed to incentivize the growth of solar energy in schools and residential areas, the Mississippi Public Service Commission met to reaffirm its support. Presley, a supporter of the program, spoke out after the vote. "I find it so strange that people that would support a 45% rate increase for a failed clean coal plant now want to mischaracterize what we're trying to do," he said. Source: Mississippi Free Press on 2023 Mississippi Governor race Oct 4, 2022

On Health Care: Supports expanding Medicaid to provide health care coverage

Four years later there's a new Democratic nominee, but the emerging issues feel the same going into the 2023 election. Democrat Brandon Presley supports expanding Medicaid to provide health care coverage for primarily the working poor, supports eliminating the state's sales tax on groceries and champions fully funding public education. Source: Mississippi Today on 2023 Mississippi Gubernatorial race Mar 19, 2023

On Principles & Values: Cousin of Elvis Presley; born one month before Elvis died

And, yes, he's the cousin of Elvis Presley. "My granddaddy and Elvis' granddaddy where brothers," he explains. "In fact my grandfather carried Elvis and Gladys down to visit Vernon, his daddy at the state penitentiary, when he did a little time for altering a check." They never met; he was born one month before Elvis died in 1977. Source: Real Clear Politics on 2023 Mississippi Gubernatorial race Sep 4, 2018

On Principles & Values: Governor has a chance to be the "hands and feet" of Jesus

If you want to know my religious philosophy, this is it. The Governor has a chance to be the "hands and feet" of Jesus. Forget political partisanship, we ALL should want to help those who Jesus said we should care about. Before I made my decision to run, @MabusKatelyn made me promise that we would use the power and prestige of the Governor's office to reach those who are homeless, downtrodden and forgotten about. George Jones - Me and Jesus https://youtu.be/lsVG0Z7wmR8 via @YouTube Source: Twitter Posting on 2023 Mississippi Gubernatorial race Feb 20, 2023

On Tax Reform: Eliminating the grocery tax will be a top issue for me

As Governor, eliminating the grocery tax will be a top issue for me. We will find a way, working with both sides of the aisle, to get this tax on life stopped. This should have been done long ago. Source: Twitter Posting on 2023 Mississippi Gubernatorial race Mar 1, 2023

On Crime: Backs law enforcement; uncle killed while serving as sheriff

Presley hammered back that Reeves shouldn't cast doubts about Presley's history of backing law enforcement officers, given that a suspected criminal killed the candidate's uncle, Harold Ray Presley, while he was serving as sheriff. "I've got the badge he was wearing, I've got the gun that was on his hip and the flag that was draped over his coffin," Presley said. "So I don't want to hear Tate Reeves open his mouth to me about backing law enforcement because he's never stood where I've stood." Source: Mississippi Today on 2023 Mississippi Gubernatorial race Jun 22, 2023

On Education: I will stand with teachers to fully fund public education

The Mississippi Association of Educators endorsed Democrat Brandon Presley for governor. "As a proud product of public schools and the son of a preschool teacher, it's an honor to earn the support of thousands of educators across this state," Presley said. He continued, "Mississippi educators know that as governor, I will stand with them to fully fund public education so we can position our state towards the economy of the future." Source: Mississippi Today on 2023 Mississippi Gubernatorial race Jun 26, 2023

On Government Reform: Expand enforcement of lobbying, campaign finance regulations

Presley called for state leaders to reform Mississippi's notoriously lax campaign finance laws and expand the role of the state's Ethics Commission to enforce lobbying and campaign contribution regulations. The Democratic candidate has made ethics reform a central part of his statewide campaign, and he has called on lawmakers to pass laws that ban state officials from raising money while the Legislature is in session. Source: Mississippi Today on 2023 Mississippi Gubernatorial race Jun 6, 2023

On Jobs: State government appointments should reflect the population

I think that leadership of state agencies and executive appointments should reflect the population. I think that requires a governor who will take intentional action to bring diversity in appointments to make sure that all regions and races are properly represented. There is a ton of talent that we need in state government – and for African Americans, quite frankly we have not had a governor who has tried to reach out and tap into that talent. Source: The Mississippi Link on 2023 Mississippi Gubernatorial race Jun 28, 2023

The above quotations are from 2023 Mississippi Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2023 Mississippi Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Brandon Presley. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Oct 14, 2023