Reeves and Waller talk Medicaid, roads and conservatism in sleepy GOP runoff debate

Luke Ramseth
Mississippi Clarion Ledger
Former Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Waller Jr., right, answers a question from WJTV co-anchor Byron Brown, left, during a GOP gubernatorial runoff debate against Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, center, in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019.

After trading barbs on the campaign trail and in television ads in recent days, GOP gubernatorial runoff candidates Bill Waller Jr. and Tate Reeves took a more civil approach when they faced off in a Wednesday debate. 

The candidates were clear about their differences on Medicaid expansion, a gas tax hike, and where Mississippi's economy stands. But they largely refrained from attacking each other directly. And they agreed on the dire need for the state's next leader to solve the state's driver license office woes, and to push for quickly raising teacher pay. 

In their closing arguments, both men pitched themselves as the purest Republican in the race. Reeves said he was the "real conservative," while Waller labeled himself the "best conservative."

"I don't think he would accuse me of being a Democrat," Waller said at one point — exactly what Reeves accused him of in recent days. 

The WJTV-TV event was the second time the candidates shared a debate stage. They were joined by state Rep. Robert Foster last month but Foster was eliminated in the primary.

The winner of Tuesday's runoff will face Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood in the Nov. 5 general election. 

Reeves, 45, took office as lieutenant governor in 2012 after serving eight years as state treasurer. Waller, 67, spent more than two decades on the state Supreme Court and served as a commander in the Mississippi Army National Guard. His father was governor in the 1970s.

The candidates were first asked about expanding Medicaid. The state has among the highest uninsured rates in the nation. 

Waller supports expanding a modified version of Medicaid insurance coverage to the state's low-income workers. Mississippi is one of 14 states that have refused billions in federal expansion dollars under the federal Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. Reeves has said he's opposed to any "Obamacare expansion" in Mississippi on "philosophical grounds."

"I do not believe putting 300,000 more Mississippians on government health care is a good solution," Reeves said Wednesday, adding he worries more residents would move off their private insurance to Medicaid under such a plan.

Waller, however, said there's no choice but to expand. "We have to do it," he said — pointing out 31 hospitals in the state at risk of closing. The hospitals would get an injection of federal money under expansion.

"What I want to do is put conservative principles in there," Waller said, referencing former Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, now vice president, who pushed through a type of Medicaid expansion in that state. 

On fixing the state's roads and bridges, the candidates again grappled but did not get nasty. Waller said raising the gas tax is needed to fund the repairs, and in exchange he wants to cut the 4 percent income tax bracket. 

Reeves said he's opposed to a gas tax hike, arguing it will hurt commuters. And, he added Wednesday, he would propose cutting the 4 percent income tax bracket anyway. "We don't have to raise taxes on users to eliminate the (4 percent) income tax bracket," said Reeves, who has garnered a reputation for slashing taxes during his tenure as lieutenant governor. 

The candidates discussed several issues they have rarely touched on during this campaign. For example, both said they are open to toll roads in Mississippi to help fund infrastructure. And both underscored the need for improvements at the Mississippi offices that handle driver licenses.

Waller said he would push for wait times under 30 minutes. Reeves agreed the current wait times and closures are "unacceptable," adding the state needs an online system for setting up appointments. 

However, Reeves said in general: "I just don't agree with (Waller's) policy proposals," especially on Medicaid and the gas tax.

Waller countered that the state's health care, roads and bridges and education system are all in need of major improvement, and residents are "not satisfied" by the solutions offered by the state's leaders so far — including from Reeves.

Prior WJTV debate:What we learned from the Mississippi Republican gubernatorial debate

While the debate was mostly civil, the race as a whole has turned increasingly negative in recent weeks.

Immediately after the primary, Reeves began labeling Waller as less than a real conservative and more akin to Hood on some policies. Meanwhile, Waller launched a television ad comparing Reeves to an out-of-control child at a birthday party. He also portrayed Reeves as part of the Jackson "swamp." 

Both have raised and spent significant money since last month, including on TV ads, according to campaign finance reports filed this week. From July 28 to August 17, Reeves raised $300,000, spent $1.9 million and has about $3.4 million leftover across several campaign accounts. More than $1.2 million was sent to Maryland-based On Message Inc. for advertising and media. 

Waller had about $350,000 leftover in his account after raking in nearly $550,000 in the most recent period, much of it via donations of $1,000 or less. He spent $315,000. 

Foster endorsement:Robert Foster endorses Bill Waller ahead of Mississippi governor primary runoff

Both candidates also have sought out big endorsements in recent days. Foster endorsed Waller last week and the two traveled the state discussing the issues together while criticizing Reeves' tenure. He said Waller was a man of "honor and integrity," and would bring "fresh ideas" to help put Mississippi on the right path. 

In a surprise, Reeves then won the support of state Sen. Chris McDaniel — a previous U.S. Senate candidate — who has long clashed with the lieutenant governor politically. "He can be stubborn and hardheaded. But then again, so can I," McDaniel said of his endorsement. Former Gov. Haley Barbour on Tuesday said he supported Reeves, even though there were "two good people" in the runoff. He joins current Gov. Phil Bryant in backing Reeves. 

Contact Luke Ramseth at 601-961-7050 or lramseth@gannett.com. Follow @lramseth on Twitter.