Mississippi House of Representatives

Last updated

Mississippi House of Representatives
Mississippi Legislature
Seal of Mississippi 2014.svg
Type
Type
Term limits
None
History
New session started
January 2, 2024
Leadership
Speaker
Jason White (R)
since January 2, 2024
Speaker pro tempore
Manly Barton (R)
since January 2, 2024
Minority Leader
Robert Johnson III (D)
since January 7, 2020
Structure
Seats122
MS Legislature 2024 Apportionment.svg
Mississippi House August 2025.svg
Political groups
  •   Republican (79)
  •   Democratic (41)
  •   Independent (2)
Length of term
4 years
AuthorityArticle IV, Mississippi Constitution
Salary$10,000/year + per diem
Elections
Last election
 November 7, 2023
(122 seats)
Next election
 November 2, 2027
(122 seats)
RedistrictingLegislative Control
Meeting place
Mississippi State Capitol building in Jackson.jpg
House of Representatives Chamber
Mississippi State Capitol
Jackson, Mississippi
Website
Mississippi House of Representatives
Rules
House of Representatives Rules

The Mississippi House of Representatives is the lower house of the Mississippi Legislature, the lawmaking body of the U.S. state of Mississippi. According to the state constitution of 1890, it is to comprise no more than 122 members elected for four-year terms. To qualify as a member of the House candidates must be at least 21 years old, a resident of Mississippi for at least four years, and a resident in the district for at least two years. Elections are held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Contents

Membership, qualifications, and apportionment

Article 4, Section 36 of the Mississippi Constitution specifies that the state legislature must meet for 125 days every four years and 90 days in other years. The Mississippi House of Representatives has the authority to determine rules of its own proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and expel a member with a two-thirds vote of its membership. [1] Bills must undergo three readings in each house, unless two-thirds of the house dispenses with the rules. [1] They cannot be amended to a new purpose. [1] Amendments to bills must be approved by both houses. [1]

The governor has the power to veto legislation, but legislators can override the veto with a two-thirds decision. [1] From 1890 to 2020, State representatives were authorized under the Mississippi Constitution to elect the Governor of Mississippi if no candidate had received 62 of the 122 electoral votes (one per district) and more than 50% of the popular vote. This occurred only once, in 1999, when Ronnie Musgrove had the most votes statewide, but was one electoral vote and 2936 votes (0.38%) shy of a majority: Musgrove was elected on the first ballot. [2]

Leadership

The permanent position of Speaker pro tempore was established in a House vote on January 9, 1987. [3] (It had been previously used in temporary situations if the Speaker was not available.) [4] The Speaker Pro Tempore acts as Speaker in the Speaker's absence. [5] The Speaker Pro Tempore also serves ex officio as the Chair of the House Management Committee and as a member of the House Rules Committee. [5] The current Speaker pro tempore is Republican Manly Barton. [6]

Salary

State representatives earn $23,500 per year. [7]

Current composition

The following composition reflects the balance of power after the 2023 elections. Republicans secured a majority for the fourth time since 2011, the first year when Republicans won the majority of seats in the State House since 1870. [8] [9] The 2023 elections were marked by new leadership, as the past speaker Phillip Gunn retired, allowing his chief lieutenant, then-Speaker Pro Tempore Jason White to become the new speaker. [9] The 2023 elections saw the seating of 25 new members. [9]

State representatives are elected every four years by the qualified electors of the district for which they are running. [10] Candidates are required to be at least 21 years of age and a resident of the state and district for which they are campaigning. [11]

AffiliationParty
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Democratic Republican Ind Vacant
End of previous legislature (November 7, 2023)407631193
Start of current legislature (January 2, 2024)417921220
December 5, 2024 [12] 781211
December 19, 2024 [13] 401202
April 22, 2025 [14] 41791220
June 30, 2025 [15] 401211
Latest voting share

List of members

DistrictRepresentativePartyAssumed officeResidenceNotes
1 Lester Carpenter Republican2008 Burnsville
2 Brad Mattox Republican2024 Corinth
3 William Tracy Arnold Republican2012 Booneville
4 Jody Steverson Republican2012 Ripley
5 John Faulkner Democratic2014 Holly Springs
6 Justin Keen Republican2024 Byhalia
7 Kimberly Remak Republican2024 Olive Branch
8 Trey Lamar Republican2012 Senatobia
9 Cedric Burnett Democratic2016 Tunica
10 Josh Hawkins Republican2024 Batesville
11 Lataisha Jackson Democratic2013 Como
12 Clay Deweese Republican2020 Oxford
13 Steve Massengill Republican2012 Hickory Flat
14 Sam Creekmore IV Republican2020 New Albany
15 Beth Luther Waldo Republican2024 Pontotoc
16 Rickey W. Thompson Democratic2020 Shannon
17 Shane Aguirre Republican2016 Tupelo
18 Jerry Turner Republican2004 Baldwyn
19 Randy Boyd Republican2012 Mantachie
20 Rodney Hall Republican2024 Southaven
21 Donnie Bell Republican2008 Fulton
22 Jon Ray Lancaster Republican2020 Houston
23 Andrew Stepp Republican2024 Bruce Died December 5, 2024
Perry Van Bailey Republican2025 Calhoun City
24 Jeff Hale Republican2016 Nesbit
25 Dan Eubanks Republican2016 Walls
26 Orlando Paden Democratic2016 Clarksdale Resigned June 30, 2025
27 Kenji Holloway Democratic2024 Carthage
28 Doc Harris Republican2024 Hernando
29 Robert L. Sanders Democratic2021 Cleveland
30 Tracey Rosebud Democratic2018 Tutwiler
31 Otis Anthony Democratic2019 Indianola
32 Solomon Osborne Democratic2019 Greenwood
33 Jim Estrada Republican2024 Saucier
34 Kevin Horan Republican2012 Grenada
35 Joey Hood Republican2012 Ackerman
36 Karl Gibbs Democratic2013 West Point
37 Andy Boyd Republican2023 Columbus
38 Cheikh Taylor Democratic2018 Starkville
39 Dana McLean Republican2020 Columbus
40 Hester Jackson-McCray Democratic2020 Horn Lake
41 Kabir Karriem Democratic2016 Columbus
42 Carl Mickens Democratic2016 Brooksville
43 Rob Roberson Republican2016 Starkville
44 C. Scott Bounds Republican2004 Philadelphia
45 Keith Jackson Democratic2024 Preston
46 Karl Oliver Republican2016 Winona
47 Bryant Clark Democratic2004 Pickens
48 Jason White Republican2012 West Speaker of the House
49 Willie Bailey Democratic1995 Greenville
50 John Hines Democratic2001 Greenville
51 Timaka James-Jones Democratic2024 Belzoni
52 Bill Kinkade Republican2013 Byhalia
53 Vince Mangold Republican2016 Brookhaven
54 Kevin Ford Republican2018 Vicksburg
55 Oscar Denton Democratic2014 Vicksburg
56 Clay Mansell Republican2024 Clinton
57 Lawrence Blackmon Democratic2024 Canton
58 Jonathan McMillan Republican2024 Madison
59 Brent Powell Republican2013 Brandon
60 Fred Shanks Republican2018 Brandon
61 Gene Newman Republican2020 Pearl
62 Lance Varner Republican2024 Florence
63 Stephanie Foster Democratic2020 Jackson
64 Shanda Yates Independent2020 Jackson
65 Chris Bell Democratic2016 Jackson
66 Fabian Nelson Democratic2024 Byram
67 Earle S. Banks Democratic1993 Jackson
68 Zakiya Summers Democratic2020 Jackson
69 Tamarra Butler-Washington Democratic2024 Jackson
70 Bo Brown Democratic2020 Jackson
71 Ronnie Crudup Jr. Democratic2019 Jackson
72 Justis Gibbs Democratic2024 Jackson
73 Jill Ford Republican2020 Madison
74 Lee Yancey Republican2020 Brandon
75 Celeste Hurst Republican2024 Sandhill
76 Gregory Holloway Sr. Democratic2000 Hazlehurst
77 Price Wallace Republican2018 Mendenhall
78 Randy Rushing Republican2012 Decatur
79 Mark Tullos Republican2016 Raleigh
80 Omeria Scott Democratic1993 Laurel
81 Stephen Horne Republican2004 Meridian
82 Charles Young Jr. Democratic2012 Meridian Died December 19, 2025
Gregory Elliott Democratic2025
83 Billy Adam Calvert Republican2020 Meridian
84 Troy Smith Republican2020 Enterprise
85 Jeffery Harness Democratic2019 Fayette
86 Shane Barnett Republican2016 Waynesboro
87 Joseph Tubb Republican2021 Purvis
88 Charles Blackwell Republican2024 Ellisville
89 Donnie Scoggin Republican2017 Ellisville
90 Noah Sanford Republican2016 Collins
91 Bob Evans Democratic2008 Monticello
92 Becky Currie Republican2008 Brookhaven
93 Timmy Ladner Republican2012 Poplarville
94 Robert Johnson III Democratic2004 Natchez Minority leader
95 Jay McKnight Republican2020 Gulfport
96 Angela Cockerham Independent2005 Magnolia
97 Sam Mims V Republican2004 McComb
98 Daryl Porter Jr. Democratic2020 Summit
99 Bill Pigott Republican2008 Tylertown
100 Ken Morgan Republican2007 Morgantown
101 Kent McCarty Republican2019 Hattiesburg
102 Missy McGee Republican2017 Hattiesburg
103 Percy Watson Democratic1980 Hattiesburg
104 Larry Byrd Republican2008 Petal
105 Elliot Burch Republican2024 Lucedale
106 Jansen Owen Republican2020 Poplarville
107 Steve Lott Republican2024 Lucedale
108 Stacey Hobgood-Wilkes Republican2017 Picayune
109 Manly Barton Republican2012 Moss Point Speaker pro tempore
110 Jeramey Anderson Democratic2014 Escatawpa
111 Jimmy Fondren Republican2024 Pascagoula
112 John Read Republican1993 Gautier
113 Henry Zuber III Republican2000 Ocean Springs
114 Jeffrey S. Guice Republican2008 Ocean Springs
115 Zachary Grady Republican2024 D'Iberville
116 Casey Eure Republican2011 Saucier
117 Kevin Felsher Republican2020 Biloxi
118 Greg Haney Republican2012 Gulfport
119 Jeffrey Hulum III Democratic2022 Gulfport
120 Richard Bennett Republican2008 Long Beach
121 Carolyn Crawford Republican2012 Pass Christian
122 Brent Anderson Republican2020 Bay St. Louis

List of speakers

The House has elected a speaker 63 times since 1817: [16] [a]

NameParty County/DistrictTermSession
01 Blank.gif Thomas Barnes Claiborne October 6, 1817

–

February 8, 1818

 1st
02 Blank.gif Edward Turner Adams January 4, 1819

–

February 1819

 2nd
Adams (Natchez)January 3, 1820

–

February 12, 1820

 3rd
03 Blank.gif Beverly R. Grayson Adams January 1, 1821

–

February 12, 1821

 4th
04 CowlesMeadPortrait.png Cowles Mead Jefferson November 5, 1821

–

June 30, 1822

 5th
05 Gerard Chittocque Brandon.jpg Gerard C. Brandon Wilkinson December 23, 1822

–

January 21, 1823

 6th
06 CowlesMeadPortrait.png Cowles Mead Jefferson December 22, 1823

–

January 23, 1824

 7th
January 3, 1825

–

February 4, 1825

 8th
07 Blank.gif Isaac R. Nicholson Copiah January 2, 1826

–

January 31, 1826

 9th
January 1, 1827

–

February 8, 1827

 10th
08 Blank.gif Charles B. Green [17] Adams January 7, 1828

–

February 16, 1828

 11th
09 William L. Sharkey portrait..jpg William L. Sharkey Warren January 5, 1829

–

February 6, 1829

 12th
10 Blank.gif Joseph Dunbar Jefferson January 4, 1830

–

February 13, 1830

 13th
11 Blank.gif M. F. Degrafenreid Wilkinson1832–1833
12 Blank.gif David Pembel Adams1833–1834
13 Adam Lewis Bingaman.jpg A. L. Bingaman Adams1834–1836
14 Blank.gif John Irvin Carroll1836–1837
15 Blank.gif William Vannerson Lawrence1837–1838
16 Blank.gif J. W. King Rankin1838–1840
17 JSpeight2.jpg Jesse Speight DemocraticLowndes1840–1841
18 James Alexander Ventress.png James A. Ventress Wilkinson1841–1842
19 Blank.gif Robert W. Roberts DemocraticScott1842–1844
20 Blank.gif J. L. Totten DemocraticMarshall1844–1846
21 James whitfield Gov.jpg James Whitfield DemocraticLowndes1846–1848
22 John J. McRae portrait..jpg John J. McRae DemocraticClarke1848–1852
23 Blank.gif William S. Patton Lauderdale1852–1854
24 Blank.gif Hiram Cassedy Franklin1854–1856
25 William S. Barry.png William S. Barry DemocraticLowndes1856–1858
26 James Lockhart Autry.jpg James L. Autry Marshall1858–1859
27 Josiah Abigail Patterson Campbell.jpg J. A. P. Campbell Attala1859–1861
28 Blank.gif William A. Lake Warren1861–1862
29 Blank.gif J. P. Scales DemocraticCarroll1862–1863
30 Blank.gif Lock E. Houston Monroe1863–1865
31 Samuel J. Gholson.jpg Samuel J. Gholson DemocraticMonroe1865–1866
32 Blank.gif Freeman E. Franklin RepublicanYazoo1870
33 Henry Waterman Warren 1914 (cropped).png Henry Waterman Warren RepublicanLeake1871–1872
34 John R. Lynch.jpg John R. Lynch RepublicanAdams1872–1873
35 H M Street.jpg Hugh M. Street DemocraticPrentiss1873–1874
36 Isaac D. Shadd, publisher, legislator, abolitionist.png Isaac D. Shadd Warren1874–1876
37 H M Street.jpg Hugh M. Street DemocraticPrentiss1876–1878
38 W A Percy.jpg William A. Percy DemocraticWashington1878–1880
39 Benjamin F. Johns.png Benjamin F. Johns DemocraticAmite1880–1882
40 W H H Tison.png W. H. H. Tison Democratic Lee 1882
41 W M Inge.png William M. Inge DemocraticAlcorn1884–1886
42 Portrait of Gen. Jacob Hunter Sharp.jpg Jacob H. Sharp Lowndes1886–1888
43 C B Mitchell.png Charles B. Mitchell DemocraticPontotoc1888–1890
44 Blank.gif James S. Madison DemocraticNoxubee1890–1892
45 H M Street.jpg Hugh M. Street Democratic Lauderdale January 5, 1892

–

January 2, 1894

 1892–1896
46 James Kimble Vardaman.jpg J. K. Vardaman Democratic Leflore January 2, 1894

–

February 10, 1894

47 James McCool.jpg James F. McCool Democratic Attala January 7, 1896

–

February 11, 1898

 1896–1900
48 Blank.gif A. J. Russell Democratic Lauderdale January 2, 1900

–

March 5, 1902

 1900–1904
49 Emmet Thomas.jpg Emmet Thomas DemocraticWashington1904–1908
50 H M Street.jpg Hugh M. Street DemocraticLauderdale1908–1912
51 Hillrie Quin.jpg Hillrie M. Quin DemocraticHinds1912–1916
52 Governor Martin S. Conner, Jan. 19, 1932 to Jan. 21, 1936 (14123298914).jpg Mike Conner Democratic Covington January 1916

–

March 1918

 1916–1920
1920–1924
53 Governor Thomas L. Bailey, Jan. 18, 1944 to Nov. 2, 1946 (13936315729).jpg Thomas L. Bailey Democratic1924–1936
54 Horace Stansel.jpg Horace Stansel DemocraticSunflower1936–1936
55 Fielding L. Wright, 1948.jpg Fielding L. Wright Democratic1936–1940
56 Sam Lumpkin.jpg Samuel Lumpkin DemocraticLee1940–1944
57 Walter Sillers.jpg Walter Sillers Jr. DemocraticBolivar1944–1966
58 Speaker Junkin.jpg John R. Junkin DemocraticAdams1966–1976
59 Buddie Newman.jpg Buddie Newman Democratic1976–1988
60 Timothy Alan Ford.png Tim Ford Democratic18January 5, 1988

–

December 20, 1991

 1988–1992
1992–2004
61 House Speaker Billy McCoy.jpg William J. McCoy Democratic3January 6, 2004

–

May 18, 2007

 2004–2008
2008–2012
62 Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn - 2019 (cropped).jpg Philip Gunn Republican56January 3, 2012

–

April 5, 2015

 2012–2016
January 6, 2016

–

March 29, 2019

 2016–2020
January 2, 2020

–

April 2, 2023

 2020–2024
63 Jason White, House Speaker, 2024.jpg Jason White Republican48January 2, 2024

–

Present

 2024–2028

List of speakers pro tempore

Source for session dates: [5]

Before the position was made permanent, Buddie Newman served as Speaker pro tempore in three different stints between 1974 and 1975. [18] [19]

NameParty County/DistrictTermSession
1st C L Simmons.png Cecil L. Simmons Democratic37th [20] [21] January 14, 1987 [22] [20]

–

August 29, 1987

 1984–1988
January 5, 1988

–

December 20, 1991

 1988–1992
2nd Robert G. Clark.jpg Robert G. Clark Jr. [23] [24] [25] Democratic47th [26] January 7, 1992

–

September 16, 1992

 1992
January 5, 1993

–

April 11, 1995

 1993–1996
January 2, 1996

–

July 22, 1999

 1996–2000
January 4, 2000

–

April 16, 2003

 2000–2004
3rd J. P. Compretta 2010.jpg J. P. Compretta [27] [5] Republican122ndJanuary 6, 2004

–

May 18, 2007

 2004–2008
January 8, 2008

–

2012

 2008–2012
4th Blank.gif Greg Snowden [28] [29] Republican83rdJanuary 3, 2012

–

April 5, 2015

 2012–2016
January 6, 2016

–

March 19, 2019

 2016–2020
5th Jason White.png Jason White [30] Republican48thJanuary 2, 2020

–

April 2, 2023

 2020–2024
6th Blank.gif Manly Barton Republican109th [6] January 2, 2024

–

Present

 2024–2028

Past composition of the House of Representatives

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ It is 62 speakers with the most recent election of Jason White.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Constitutional Provisions The Legislature And Legislation Rules of Procedure, Mississippi Legislature (accessed May 31, 2013)
  2. ↑ Breen, Dallas (January 6, 2021). "Mississippi Voted Out Its Electoral College-Like Election Process". Mississippi Free Press. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  3. ↑ "House vote trims speaker's power". Newspapers.com. January 10, 1987. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Three times in 2 years". Newspapers.com. May 11, 1975. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Delbert Hosemann, State of Mississippi (2012). Mississippi Official and Statistical Register Blue Book 2008-2012. pp. 104, 147–148.
  6. 1 2 https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/members/house/Barton.xml
  7. ↑ "Comparison of state legislative salaries". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  8. ↑ Wilkinson, Kaija (November 10, 2011). "GOP takes House; Busby leads Jones as of last count, but margin still very thin". gulflive.com. The Press-Register. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  9. 1 2 3 Corder, Frank (January 2, 2024). "Mississippi Legislature Gavels in for New Term". Magnolia Tribune. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  10. ↑ Article 4, Section 34, Mississippi Constitution (accessed May 31, 2013)
  11. ↑ Article 4, Section 41 Archived June 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , Mississippi Constitution (accessed May 31, 2013)
  12. ↑ Andy Stepp (District 23) dies in office.
  13. ↑ Charles Young Jr. (District 82) dies in office.
  14. ↑ Republican Perry Van Bailey and Democrat Gregory Elliott are elected to fill the two vacancies in special elections.
  15. ↑ Democrat Orlando Paden (District 26) resigned after being elected mayor of Clarksdale.
  16. ↑ Watson, Michael (2021). "Historical and Statistical Information" (PDF). 2020-2024 Statistical Register. Mississippi Secretary of State.
  17. ↑ "Journal of the House of Representatives of the state of Mississippi". Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi. Jan 1828 11th Sess. January 1828 – via LLMC Digital.
  18. ↑ Mississippi. Legislature (January 1, 1980). "Hand book : biographical data of members of Senate and House, personnel of standing committees [1980]". Mississippi Legislature Hand Books.
  19. ↑ "Three times in 2 years". Newspapers.com. May 11, 1975. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  20. 1 2 Mississippi Legislature 1988 Handbook. 1988. p. 27.
  21. ↑ "house/1984-88.tif - House of Representatives (1948-2016)". da.mdah.ms.gov. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Past week very eventful with rules changes, Allain's eventful speech". Newspapers.com. January 21, 1987. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  23. ↑ Eric Clark, State of Mississippi (2004). Mississippi Official and Statistical Register Blue Book 2000-2004. p. 61.
  24. ↑ "Clark". June 6, 2000. Archived from the original on June 6, 2000. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  25. ↑ "house/1992-96.tif - House of Representatives (1948-2016)". da.mdah.ms.gov. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  26. ↑ "1992 MS Legislature". Newspapers.com. November 6, 1991. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  27. ↑ Eric Clark, State of Mississippi (2008). Mississippi Official and Statistical Register Blue Book 2004-2008. p. 102.
  28. ↑ Delbert Hosemann, State of Mississippi (2014). Mississippi Official and Statistical Register Blue Book 2012-2016. p. 105.
  29. ↑ Delbert Hosemann, State of Mississippi (2017). Mississippi Official and Statistical Register Blue Book 2016-2020. p. 121.
  30. ↑ "2020-2024 Mississippi Blue Book | Michael Watson Secretary of state". sos.ms.gov. Retrieved November 25, 2024.

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