Waller has a TV ad portraying himself as the adult in the race while a child who resembles Reeves, wearing khaki pants and blue dress shirt, wreaks havoc at a birthday party.

The likeability gap is such an issue that Reeves is running an ad in the closing days of the campaign in which he looks directly at the camera and says: “Now here’s something you won’t see often in politics. I’m here to tell you my opponent Bill Waller is a nice guy. I respect him, but I disagree with his ideas.”

The candidates have sharp differences on two issues that have dominated discussion: gasoline taxes and Medicaid.

Waller proposes increasing the gas tax to pay for highways. He also wants to let people with low-paying jobs purchase Medicaid coverage, similar to a plan that Indiana adopted when Vice President Mike Pence was governor. Waller says the influx of federal money would help keep rural hospitals open.

Reeves opposes both ideas.

“I think Obamacare was a mistake. Judge Waller would expand Obamacare in our state and add 300,000 more Mississippians to the government rolls,” Reeves said during a debate Wednesday. “I think taxes are too high. Judge Waller would raise the gas tax. … If you want higher taxes and more Obamacare, Judge Waller may be your candidate. But if you want a real conservative leading the party in the November general elections, I’m your man.”

Waller said that in the first round of primary voting, more than 50% of people agreed with his proposals.

“We need help with health care, education, roads and bridges,” Waller said. “I’m the candidate that can win in November, and I’m the best conservative to lead us forward.”