In a surprising turn of events, Democrats are potentially poised to pull off a shocking upset in Mississippi's gubernatorial election, according to a recent report by Newsweek. The race has Democratic candidate Brandon Presley trailing the incumbent Republican Governor, Tate Reeves, by just one point in a recent poll. Adding to the anticipation, a major bookmaker now considers Presley the odds-on favorite to secure a victory.

If Presley were to win the election, he would become the first Democratic governor in the state in two decades. His candidacy is drawing attention as part of a broader test for both Democrats and Republicans in two November 7 gubernatorial elections - one in Mississippi and the other in Kentucky. These contests are seen as crucial indicators of the political landscape leading up to the highly anticipated 2024 presidential election.

The Democratic Governors Association (DGA) released a recent poll in October, revealing a significant shift in public opinion. Reeves, who previously held substantial leads of 11 percent and 8 percent in polls conducted in August and September respectively, now holds a narrow lead of just one point with 46 percent against Presley's 45 percent. This unexpected change in fortunes suggests a potential swing in favor of the Democratic candidate.

Interestingly, British bookmaker Betfair Exchange currently predicts a victory for Presley. Sam Rosbottom, a spokesperson for the company, stated, "Brandon Presley is the 4/7 odds-on favorite to win the Mississippi governor election, while Tate Reeves is 11/8 to win a second term as the pair hurled insults at each other during a tense debate on Wednesday night."

Presley's fundraising efforts have also outpaced those of Reeves, amassing over $5 million this year. The Democratic candidate received substantial support from the DGA, with a generous contribution of $3.75 million to his campaign. This financial advantage has undoubtedly bolstered Presley's chances of success.

Apart from the gubernatorial elections, November 7 will also witness two special elections for the House of Representatives. These elections come on the heels of the resignations of Rhode Island Democrat David Cicilline and Utah Republican Chris Stewart. Additionally, various state-level contests will take center stage, further intensifying the political landscape.

The Mississippi election is particularly historic due to the overturning of a Jim Crow-era law imposed in 1890. This law previously required candidates for statewide office to win a majority of both the popular vote and the 122 state House districts, effectively diminishing the influence of Black voters who predominantly support the Democratic party. The removal of this barrier is expected to have a significant impact on the outcome of the gubernatorial race.

Charles V. Taylor Jr., the head of Mississippi's state conference of civil-rights group N.A.A.C.P, described the upcoming election as a milestone, stating, "This election is going to be one that is historical. It'd be the first time we don't have to deal with this Jim Crow-era Electoral College when it comes to the gubernatorial race. And also, we're at a point in our state where people are fed up and frustrated with what's currently happening."

In recent months, Reeves has faced controversy surrounding allegations of fraud during his time as lieutenant governor. Mississippi's misallocation of welfare funds, causing a loss of approximately $77 million between 2016 and 2019, has led to a lawsuit against more than two-dozen businesses and individuals. Reeves finds himself embroiled in the scandal, with one defendant accusing him of unlawfully influencing the case to protect his political allies. The governor vehemently denies any wrongdoing and retaliated, stating, "Some folks fight for endorsements from Hollywood liberals. I prefer endorsements from truck drivers."

Newsweek reached out to both Gov. Tate Reeves and Brandon Presley for comment by email, urging them to provide their perspectives on the election and the latest developments surrounding their respective campaigns.

As election day draws near, all eyes are on Mississippi, awaiting the outcome of this highly contested gubernatorial race that could potentially shift the political landscape in the heartland of Republican influence.