Mississippi governor, in second inauguration, says he wants young people to stop leaving the state

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Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves recites the oath of office as he is sworn in to his second term, while his wife Elee Reeves, right, holds the family Bible during the inauguration ceremony in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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Following an escort line of legislators, Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, right, and wife Elee Reeves lead their family down the steps of the Mississippi State Capitol for the start of Reeves’ second term inauguration in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, right, his wife Elee Reeves, second from right, stand at attention with their daughters during the playing of the National Anthem at the inauguration of the second term for Reeves in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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A strong wind blows across the Mississippi State Capitol grounds as Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, center, recites the oath of office as given to him by Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Randolph, left, while his wife Elee Reeves, right, holds the family Bible during the inauguration ceremony in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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Members of the Mississippi Army National Guard fire a 19-gun-salute during the inauguration of Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves delivers his address during his inauguration for a second term, at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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Mississippi First Lady Elee Reeves, right, and daughters Tyler, second from right, Emma, and Maddie, listen as their husband and father, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves delivers his address during his inauguration for a second term at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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Former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, center, joins current Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson, left, and Mississippi State Auditor Shad White, right, during the inauguration of Republican Gov. Tate Reeves in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, at the Mississippi State Capitol. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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A bank of Mississippi State flags wave during the inauguration of Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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Former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, speaks to other guests at the inauguration of Republican Gov. Tate Reeves on the steps of the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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A guest at the inauguration of Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves holds a program at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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A member of the 41st Army Band of the Mississippi Army National Guard plays during the inauguration of Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves waves prior to delivering his address during his inauguration for a second term as head of state, at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Republican Gov. Tate Reeves used the theme “Mississippi Forever” on Tuesday as he was inaugurated for his second term, saying he wants to curb the trend of young people leaving to pursue careers elsewhere.

“For too many decades, Mississippi’s most valuable export has not been our cotton or even our culture. It’s been our kids,” Reeves told lawmakers, state officials and several international diplomats during a ceremony outside the state Capitol on a chilly, blustery day.

He said people from Mississippi hold prominent positions in government, business and entertainment.

“They made other places better, and we missed out on all they could have done here at home,” said Reeves, who has three daughters with his wife, Elee.

Other states in the South — including Texas and Florida — have seen substantial increases in population in the past decade. Mississippi has long been one of the poorest states, and its population has remained stagnant.

Reeves, 49, campaigned for reelection last year by focusing on tax cuts, job creation, low unemployment and strides in education, including improvements in test scores for fourth- grade reading between 2013 and 2022. In his speech Tuesday, Reeves mentioned that Mississippi was among the top five states for improvements in reading scores by Black fourth-graders.

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“We are making sure all of Mississippi has momentum,” he said.

Reeves held two other statewide elected offices before becoming governor four years ago. He served two terms as treasurer and two as lieutenant governor.

Reeves is the fourth Mississippi governor to win two consecutive terms since the state lifted its ban on gubernatorial succession in the 1980s. Republicans have held the Mississippi governorship the past 20 years.

The November general election was unusually competitive in a state where Republicans control all statewide offices and both chambers of the Legislature. Reeves received nearly 51% of the vote to defeat Democrat Brandon Presley.

EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS

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