Mississippi's gubernatorial race is heating up as Democratic nominee Brandon Presley, a second cousin of Elvis Presley, mounts a competitive campaign against Republican Gov. Tate Reeves. Recent polling suggests a tightening race, with Presley trailing Reeves by only one percentage point. This unexpected competitiveness stems from Presley's ability to present himself as a different kind of Democrat, aligning himself with conservative positions such as anti-abortion and supporting gun rights. As a former mayor of a small town in Mississippi, Presley connects with rural voters and has spoken passionately about expanding Medicaid to tackle the state's high poverty rate.

However, winning the governorship in deeply red Mississippi remains challenging for Democrats. The state's voting results are often racially polarized, with white voters largely supporting the GOP and black voters favoring Democratic candidates. Nevertheless, the polls indicate that Presley has a fighting chance, presenting Democrats with their best shot at the governor's mansion in two decades. If no candidate secures more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff election will take place on November 28. As Election Day approaches, all eyes are on Mississippi to see if Presley can achieve an unlikely upset.