After years of relatively ho-hum statewide elections, 2019 did not disappoint Magnolia State politicos. From a surprisingly fiery Republican gubernatorial primary to a nail-biter (comparatively speaking, anyway) of governor’s race that drew national interest, including from President Donald Trump, the year in Mississippi politics undoubtedly set a new tone for campaigns of the future. — R.L. Nave

Sen. Buck Clarke, R-Hollandale and Senate Appropriations chairman, left, shares a laugh with Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney during the 2019 legislative session in Jackson Wednesday, January 9, 2019.
Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves leaves the Capital Club at Capital Towers in Jackson after the Stennis Capitol Press Forum Jackson Monday, January 14, 2019.
Rep. Robert Foster, R-Hernando, a Republican candidate for governor, speaks supporters during the Rankin County Republican Women’s “Meet the Candidates” event at the Brandon Municipal Complex Tuesday, May 21, 2019.
Charlotte Waller gives her husband Bill Waller Jr., GOP gubernatorial candidate, a sticker after voting at Spann Elementary after voting in the GOP runoff elections.
Democratic gubernatorial Jim Hood watches the news as election results come in while at his campaign headquarters Tuesday, August 27, 2019.
Tate Reeves supporters cheer as the GOP gubernatorial prepares to speak during his election watch party Tuesday, August 27, 2019.
President Donald Trump prior to speaking at his rally at BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, Miss., Friday, November 1, 2019.
President Donald Trump stands behind Tate Reeves as he speaks during a campaign rally at BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo on Nov. 1, 2019.
President Donald Trump embraces Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith during a campaign rally at BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo on Nov. 1, 2019.
An audience member raises her hand during prayer at a campaign rally in the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, Miss., Friday, November 1, 2019.
Andy Gipson kisses his wife at the Westin Jackson after being named Mississippi’s new agriculture and commerce commissioner Tuesday, November 5, 2019..
Mike Espy, a former congressman and former U.S. agriculture secretary, announces that he is running against U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in 2020 for her Senate seat.
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood closes a box of files at his office inside of the Walter Sillers Building in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, December 12, 2019.

View our full #MSToday2019Recap here.

Eric J. Shelton was a 2018 corps member in Report for America, and joined the team as our first photojournalist. A native of Columbia, Miss., Eric earned his bachelor’s in photojournalism from the University of Southern Mississippi. He was a multimedia journalist for Abilene Reporter-News, chief photographer for the Hattiesburg American and photo editor for the Killeen Daily Herald before joining our team June 2018. He rejoined Mississippi Today as our health photojournalist in January 2022.