JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi’s governor and lieutenant governor say they will support teacher pay raises in the 2019 legislative session, months before state elections.

The Republicans expressed support Thursday in a series of tweets. Spokespersons for both Gov. Phil Bryant and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves say no plan has been finalized and they expect to work something out once lawmakers convene for the 2019 regular session in January.

Reeves is expected to run for governor next year.

The Mississippi Department of Education says teachers made an average of $44,659 in the 2016-2017 school year. This year, the state mandates that teacher pay begin at $34,390 for a new college graduate. Mandated pay reaches above $67,000 for someone with a doctorate and more than 35 years of experience. Many local districts offer additional supplements.