2012–2016 Mississippi Legislature

| ←| 2008–2012 Mississippi Legislature | 2016–2020 Mississippi Legislature| →

|
|
|

State Seal

Overview
Legislative body| Mississippi Legislature
Jurisdiction| Mississippi,  United States
Meeting place| Mississippi State Capitol
Term| 6 January 2012 (2012-01-06) – 6 January 2016 (2016-01-06)
Election| 2011 Mississippi elections
Mississippi State Senate
Members| 52
President| Tate Reeves
President pro tempore| Terry W. Brown (2012–2014)
Giles Ward (2015)
Party control| Republican
Mississippi House of Representatives
Members| 122
Speaker| Phillip Gunn
Speaker pro tempore| Greg Snowden
Party control| Republican

The 2012–2016 Mississippi Legislature met in multiple sessions in the 2012-2016 term. They were from: January 3, 2012 – May 3, 2012; January 8, 2013 – April 4, 2013; April 26, 2013; June 27–28, 2013; January 7, 2014 – April 6, 2014; May 8, 2014; and January 6, 2015 – April 5, 2015.[1][2] The next session, the 2016–2020 Mississippi Legislature started on January 6, 2016.[1]

## Officers

[edit]

### Senate

[edit]

#### Presiding Officer

[edit]

Position  | Name  | Party  | District

|
|
|

President | Tate Reeves  | Republican Party | n/a (Lieut. Gov.)
President Pro Tempore  | Terry W. Brown[note 1] | Republican Party | 17
Giles Ward[note 2][3] | Republican Party | 18

### House of Representatives

[edit]

#### Presiding Officer

[edit]

Position  | Name  | Party  | District

|
|
|

Speaker of the House  | Phillip Gunn | Republican Party | 56
Speaker Pro Tempore  | Greg Snowden | Republican Party | 83

## Composition

[edit]

The following composition reflects the balance of power after the 2011 elections, which was the first election since Reconstruction to give a majority of seats in the State House to the Republicans.[4]

### House

[edit]

Affiliation  | Party

(Shading indicates majority caucus)

| Total  |

|
|
|

|  |
Democratic | Republican | Vacant
End of previous legislature (2011)  | 67  | 55  | 122  |
Begin  | 58  | 64  | 122  | 0
July 20, 2012[5] | 63  | 121  | 1
November 19, 2012[6] | 62  | 120  | 2
November 27, 2012[7] | 63  | 121  | 1
December 10, 2012[8] | 57  | 64  | 121
January 11, 2013[9] | 65  | 122  | 0
January 13, 2013[10] | 56  | 121  | 1
February 4, 2013[11] | 55  | 120  | 2
March 24, 2013[12] | 64  | 119  | 3
April 4, 2013[13] | 56  | 120  | 2
April 26, 2013[14] | 57  | 121  | 1
June 10, 2013[15] | 65  | 122  | 0
July 1, 2013[16] | 54  | 119  | 3
January 2014[17] | 57  | 122  | 0
September 15, 2014[18] | 56  | 66
February 12, 2015[19] | 55  | 121  | 1
April 6, 2015[20] | 67  | 122  | 0
June 10, 2015[21] | 54  | 121  | 1
November 5, 2015[22] | 53  | 68
Latest voting share  | 43.4%  | 55.7%  |

### Senate

[edit]

District  | Name  | Party  | Residence  | Gender

|
|
|
|

1  | Chris Massey | Rep  | Nesbit | M
2  | Bill Stone | Dem  | Holly Springs | M
3  | Nickey Browning | Rep  | Pontotoc | M
4  | Rita Potts Parks | Rep  | Corinth | F
5  | J. P. Wilemon | Dem  | Belmont | M
6  | Nancy Adams Collins | Rep  |  | F
7  | Hob Bryan | Dem  | Amory | M
8  | Russell Jolly | Dem  | Houston | M
9  | Gray Tollison | Rep  | Oxford | M
10  | Steve Hale | Dem  | Senatobia | M
11  | Robert L. Jackson | Dem  | Marks | M
12  | Derrick Simmons | Dem  | Greenville | M
13  | Willie Lee Simmons | Dem  | Cleveland | M
14  | Lydia Chassaniol | Rep  | Winona | F
15  | Gary Jackson | Rep  | French Camp | M
16  | Angela Turner | Dem  | West Point | F
17  | Charles Younger | Rep  | Columbus | M
18  | Giles Ward | Rep  | Louisville | M
19  | David Parker | Rep  | Olive Branch | M
20  | Josh Harkins | Rep  | Flowood | M
21  | Kenneth Wayne Jones | Dem  | Canton | M
22  | Eugene S. Clarke | Rep  | Hollandale | M
23  | Briggs Hopson | Rep  | Vicksburg | M
24  | David Lee Jordan | Dem  | Greenwood | M
25  | Will Longwitz | Rep  | Madison | M
26  | John A. Horhn | Dem  | Jackson  | M
27  | Hillman Terome Frazier | Dem  | Jackson  | M
28  | Sollie Norwood | Dem  | Jackson  | M
29  | David Blount | Dem  | Jackson  | M
30  | Dean Kirby | Rep  | Pearl | M
31  | Terry Clark Burton | Rep  | Newton | M
32  | Sampson Jackson II | Dem  | Preston | M
33  | Videt Carmichael | Rep  | Meridian | M
34  | Haskins Montgomery | Dem  | Bay Springs | M
35  | Perry Lee | Rep  | Mendenhall | M
36  | Albert Butler | Dem  | Port Gibson | M
37  | Melanie Sojourner | Rep  | Natchez | F
38  | Kelvin Butler | Dem  | McComb | M
39  | Sally Doty | Rep  | Brookhaven | F
40  | Angela Burks Hill | Rep  | Picayune | F
41  | Joey Fillingane | Rep  | Sumrall | M
42  | Chris McDaniel | Rep  | Ellisville | M
43  | Phillip A. Gandy | Rep  | Waynesboro | M
44  | John A. Polk | Rep  | Hattiesburg | M
45  | Billy Hudson | Rep  | Hattiesburg  | M
46  | Philip Moran | Rep  | Kiln | M
47  | Tony Smith | Rep  | Picayune  | M
48  | Deborah Jeanne Dawkins | Dem  | Pass Christian | F
49  | Sean Tindell | Rep  | Gulfport | M
50  | Thomas Arlin Gollot | Rep  | Biloxi | M
51  | Michael Watson | Rep  | Pascagoula | M
52  | Brice Wiggins | Rep  | Pascagoula  | M

### House

[edit]

District  | Name  | Party  | Residence

|
|
|

1  | Lester Carpenter | Rep  | Burnsville
2  | Nick Bain | Dem  | Corinth
3  | William Tracy Arnold | Rep  | Booneville
4  | Jody Steverson | Rep  | Ripley
5  | John Faulkner | Dem  | Holly Springs
6  | Eugene Hamilton | Rep  | Olive Branch
7  | Wanda Jennings | Rep  | Southaven
8  | Trey Lamar | Rep  | Senatobia
9  | Clara Burnett | Dem  | Tunica
10  | Nolan Mettetal | Rep  | Sardis
11  | Lataisha Jackson | Dem  | Como
12  | Brad Mayo | Rep  | Oxford
13  | Steve Massengill | Rep  | Hickory Flat
14  | Margaret Rogers | Rep  | New Albany
15  | Mac Huddleston | Rep  | Pontotoc
16  | Stephen Holland | Dem  | Plantersville
17  | Brian Aldridge | Rep  | Tupelo
18  | Jerry Turner | Rep  | Baldwyn
19  | Randy Boyd | Rep  | Mantachie
20  | Chris Brown | Rep  | Aberdeen
21  | Donnie Bell | Rep  | Fulton
22  | Preston Sullivan | Dem  | Okolona
23  | Charles Beckett | Rep  | Bruce
24  | Kevin Horan | Dem  | Grenada
25  | Gene Alday | Rep  | Wells
26  | Chuck Espy | Dem  | Clarksdale
27  | Ferr Smith | Dem  | Carthage
28  | Tommy Taylor | Rep  | Boyle
29  | Linda Coleman | Dem  | Mound Bayou
30  | Robert Huddleston | Dem  | Sumner
31  | Sara Thomas | Dem  | Indianola
32  | Willie Perkins, Sr. | Dem  | Greenwood
33  | Thomas Reynolds II | Dem  | Charleston
34  | Linda Whittington | Dem  | Schlater
35  | Joey Hood | Rep  | Ackerman
36  | Karl Gibbs | Dem  | West Point
37  | Gary Chism | Rep  | Columbus
38  | Tyrone Ellis | Dem  | Starkville
39  | Jeff Smith | Rep  | Columbus
40  | Pat Nelson | Rep  | Southaven
41  | Vacant |  |
42  | Reecy Dickson | Dem  | Macon
43  | Michael Evans | Dem  | Philadelphia
44  | C. Scott Bounds | Rep  | Philadelphia
45  | Jay Mathis[23] | Rep  | Carthage
46  | Bobby Howell | Rep  | Kilmichael
47  | Bryant Clark | Dem  | Pickens
48  | Jason White | Rep  | West
49  | Willie Bailey | Dem  | Greenville
50  | John Hines | Dem  | Greenville
51  | Rufus Straughter | Dem  | Belzoni
52  | Bill Kinkade | Rep  | Byhalia
53  | Robert Moak | Dem  | Bogue Chitto
54  | Alex Monsour | Rep  | Vicksburg
55  | Oscar Denton | Dem  | Vicksburg
56  | Philip Gunn | Rep  | Clinton
57  | Edward Blackmon, Jr. | Dem  | Canton
58  | Rita Martinson | Rep  | Madison
59  | Brent Powell | Rep  | Brandon
60  | John Moore | Rep  | Brandon
61  | Ray Rogers | Rep  | Pearl
62  | Thomas Weathersby, Sr. | Rep  | Florence
63  | Deborah Butler Dixon | Dem  | Raymond
64  | William Denny, Jr. | Rep  | Jackson
65  | Mary Coleman | Dem  | Jackson
66  | Cecil Brown | Dem  | Jackson
67  | Earle S. Banks | Dem  | Jackson
68  | Credell Calhoun | Dem  | Jackson
69  | Alyce Clarke | Dem  | Jackson
70  | James Evans | Dem  | Jackson
71  | Adrienne Wooten | Dem  | Canton
72  | Kimberly Campbell Buck | Dem  | Jackson
73  | Brad Oberhousen | Dem  | Jackson
74  | Mark Baker | Rep  | Brandon
75  | Tom Miles | Dem  | Forest
76  | Gregory Holloway, Sr. | Dem  | Hazlehurst
77  | J. Andrew Gipson | Rep  | Braxton
78  | Randy Rushing | Rep  | Decatur
79  | Blaine Eaton II | Dem  | Taylorsville
80  | Omeria Scott | Dem  | Laurel
81  | Stephen Horne | Rep  | Meridian
82  | Charles Young, Jr. | Dem  | Meridian
83  | Greg Snowden | Rep  | Meridian
84  | William Shirley | Rep  | Quitman
85  | Chuck Middleton | Dem  | Port Gibson
86  | Sherra Lane | Dem  | Waynesboro
87  | Johnny Stringer | Dem  | Montrose
88  | Gary Staples | Rep  | Laurel
89  | Bobby Shows | Rep  | Ellisville
90  | Joseph Warren | Dem  | Mount Olive
91  | Robert Evans | Dem  | Monticello
92  | Becky Currie | Rep  | Brookhaven
93  | Timmy Ladner | Rep  | Poplarville
94  | Robert Johnson III | Dem  | Natchez
95  | Patricia H. Willis | Rep  | Diamondhead
96  | Angela Cockerham | Dem  | Magnolia
97  | Sam Mims, V | Rep  | McComb
98  | David Myers | Dem  | McComb
99  | Bill Pigott | Rep  | Tylertown
100  | Ken Morgan | Rep  | Morgantown
101  | Hank Lott | Rep  | Sumrall
102  | Toby Barker | Rep  | Hattiesburg
103  | Percy Watson | Dem  | Hattiesburg
104  | Larry Byrd | Rep  | Petal
105  | Dennis DeBar | Rep  |
106  | Herbert Frierson | Rep  | Poplarville
107  | Doug McLeod | Rep  |
108  | Mark Formby | Rep  | Picayune
109  | Manly Barton | Rep  |
110  | Jeramey Anderson | Dem  | Moss Point
111  | Charles Busby | Rep  | Pascagoula
112  | John Read | Rep  | Gautier
113  | Henry Zuber III | Rep  | Ocean Springs
114  | Jeffrey S. Guice | Rep  | Ocean Springs
115  | Randall Patterson | Rep  | Biloxi
116  | Casey Eure | Rep  | Biloxi
117  | Scott DeLano | Rep  | Biloxi
118  | Greg Haney | Rep  | Gulfport
119  | Sonya Williams-Barnes | Dem  | Gulfport
120  | Richard Bennett | Rep  | Long Beach
121  | Carolyn Crawford | Rep  | Pass Christian
122  | David Baria | Dem  | Bay St. Louis

With the February 2009 party switch of Billy Nicholson from Democrat to Republican, the composition became 73 Democrats and 49 Republicans. This also meant that for the first time in the history of Mississippi, the majority of the Democratic members of the House were African-Americans.[24]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Died in office on Sep. 4, 2014
2. ^ Elected on Jan 5 2015

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Historical and Statistical Information
2. ^ Pender, Geoff (January 6, 2015). "State Sen. Giles Ward elected 'senators' senator'". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
3. ^ Pender, Geoff (January 6, 2016). "State Sen. Giles Ward elected 'senators' senator'". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
4. ^ "2012-2016 Mississippi Blue Book | Michael Watson Secretary of state". sos.ms.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
5. ^ "Republican Thomas Woods (District 52) resigned due to medical reasons".
6. ^ Republican Kevin McGee (District 59) resigned due to an ethic investigation. [1]
7. ^ Republican Bill Kinkade elected to succeed Woods.
8. ^ Democrat Jason White (District 48) switched to the Republican Party.
9. ^ Republican Brent Powell elected to succeed McGee.
10. ^ Democrat David Gibbs (District 36) died.
11. ^ Democrat Joe Gardner (District 11) died.
12. ^ Republican Jessica Upshaw (District 95) died.
13. ^ Democrat Karl Gibbs elected to succeed Gibbs.
14. ^ Democrat Lataisha Jackson elected to succeed Gardner.
15. ^ Republican Patricia Willis elected to succeed Upshaw.
16. ^ Democrats Kelvin Buck (District 5), George Flaggs, Jr. (District 55) and Billy Broomfield (District 110) all resigned when they assumed office as Mayors of Holly Springs, Vicksburg and Moss Point, respectively.
17. ^ Democrats John Faulkner (District 5), Oscar Denton (District 55) and Jeramey Anderson (District 110) are elected in the House of Representatives.
18. ^ Democrat Randall Patterson of Biloxi (District 115) switched to the Republican Party.
19. ^ Democrat Bennett Malone of Carthage (District 45) announced his resignation due to health problems. [2]
20. ^ Jay Mathis won special election in District 45 a walkover to fill the vacancy. [3]
21. ^ Democrat Esther Harrison of Columbus (District 41) died.
22. ^ Democrat Jody Steverson of Ripley (District 4) switched to the Republican Party.
23. ^ Due to Bennett Malone's retirement on February 12, a special election was called for District 45, which was won by Jay Mathis by acclimation, changing the party holding the seat from Democrat to Republican. [4] [5]
24. ^ Brown, Jennifer Jacob. "State Rep. Nicholson switches parties" Meridian Star February 26, 2009

* v
* t
* e

Mississippi Legislatures

State Legislatures (since 1817)|

* 1st (1817–1818)
* 2nd (1819)
* 3rd (1820)
* 4th (1821)
* 5th (1821–1822)
* 6th (1822–1823)
* 7th (1823–1824)
* 8th (1825)
* 9th (1826)
* 10th (1827)
* 11th (1828)
* 12th (1829)
* 13th (1830)
* 14th (1830)
* 15th (1831)
* 16th (1833)
* 17th (1833–1835)
* 1836–1838
* 1838–1840
* 1840–1842
* 1842–1844
* 1844–1846
* 1846–1848
* 1848–1850
* 1850–1852
* 1852–1854
* 1854–1856
* 1856–1857
* 1857–1859
* 1860–1861
* 1861–1862
* 1865–1867
* 1870–1872
* 1872–1874
* 1874–1876
* 1876–1878
* 1878–1880
* 1880–1882
* 1882–1884
* 1884–1886
* 1886–1888
* 1888–1890
* 1890–1892
* 1892–1896
* 1896–1900
* 1900–1904
* 1904–1908
* 1908–1912
* 1912–1916
* 1916–1920
* 1920–1924
* 1924–1928
* 1928–1932
* 1932–1936
* 1936–1940
* 1940–1944
* 1944–1948
* 1948–1952
* 1952–1956
* 1956–1960
* 1960–1964
* 1964–1968
* 1968–1972
* 1972–1976
* 1976–1980
* 1980–1984
* 1984–1988
* 1988–1992
* 1992
* 1993–1996
* 1996–2000
* 2000–2004
* 2004–2008
* 2008–2012
* 2012–2016
* 2016–2020
* 2020–2024
* 2024–2028

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template