Democrat Brandon Presley says GOP governor is out of touch with Mississippians

Mississippi Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brandon Presley speaks to reporters during a campaign stop on November 6, in Jackson, Mississippi. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Brandon Presley, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Mississippi, told CNN at his last campaign stop in Jackson that he is more in touch with the people of the state than incumbent Republican Gov. Tate Reeves.

"I think that this —this election is as much a referendum on saving our hospitals, ethics reform, and the fact that Tate Reeves is one of the most unpopular governors in America. And Mississippians know that he's out of touch with them and that I would be a governor in touch with Mississippians and the issues in Mississippi," Presley said Tuesday.

Presley said his campaign has worked to gain support from Republicans and Democrats and that his focus has been on the issues within the state — not national politics.

"This campaign has never been about national politics. He's trying to make it that way. It's been about the issues in our state," Presley said.

He added, "The issues in Mississippi are not about right and left, it's about those of us that have been pushed on the outside versus a hand select little few led by Tate Reeves on the inside," Presley said.

Presley also called out Reeves' lack of action on the state's high food tax. "Tate Reeves has been a very low-energy governor. He doesn't have any guts and backbone. I'm willing to stand up and fight," he said.

Reeves, who is seeking a second term, is knee-deep in a corruption scandal as the state faces another health-care crisis. Presley is banking on Reeves’ foibles, a famous name — Elvis Presley was a second cousin — and a promise to expand Medicaid while cutting regressive grocery taxes