One of Mississippi’s richest men has formed a political action committee, or PAC, to help elect Republican candidates in the Magnolia State.
In December, Mississippi billionaire and business owner Tommy Duff formed Duff PAC after filing the organization’s paperwork with the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office.
Duff has also said publicly that he plans to run for governor in 2027. His most obvious opponents in the race so far are some of the top elected officials in the Mississippi Republican Party. They are Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, Attorney General Lynn Fitch and State Auditor Shad White.
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“Tommy Duff has been a longtime supporter of conservative candidates, officeholders and causes,” said PAC Director Jordan Russell. “He founded Duff PAC to better organize and increase his political activity ahead of the 2025 municipal elections and possible special legislative elections.”
The move, in addition to being a politically savvy option for generating campaign funds, would likely win him points with Republican politicians in Mississippi come 2027.
Forbes puts Duff’s net worth at $3 billion. The same was true for his brother and business partner, Jim.
“Our mission is to support conservative candidates and promote policies that promote opportunity, freedom, religious values and prosperity throughout Mississippi,” Russell said. “We plan a significant investment in several races in our state to ensure strong, conservative leadership at all levels of government.”
Later this year, in addition to the municipal elections, several special elections are expected to be held due to the deaths of two House members and Sen. Jenifer Branning, R-Philadelphia, winning her race to become a Mississippi Supreme Court justice for the central constituency. District.
There will also be special elections resulting from federally mandated redistricting of two-house districts and one Senate district. The effort will likely result in many other districts being redrawn, leading to more special elections.
Attorney General Releases Legislative Priorities
On January 9, Attorney General Lynn Fitch released her legislative priorities for 2025.
Among them, she is calling on lawmakers to pass legislation to strengthen the state’s outdated campaign finance laws by adding transparency in an effort to “end the influence of dark money outside of the State in Mississippi Elections.”
Among its many other priorities, Fitch also wants a parental leave law to give women the opportunity to receive paid leave after giving birth.
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In particular, it asks:
- Create an Opioid Settlement Fund Committee to distribute more than $300 million obtained through settlements with opioid manufacturers, distributors and others who contributed to Mississippi’s opioid epidemic.
- Require audits of nonprofits that receive $10 million or more in public funds.
For a complete list of Fitch’s legislative priorities, people can visit the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office. website.
Mississippi Democrats mourn loss of Jimmy Carter
On Thursday, the Mississippi Democratic Party announced it would join in the national mourning of former Democratic President Jimmy Carter, who died on December 29.
“Today, we join the nation in mourning the passing of President Jimmy Carter, a man of unprecedented humility, unwavering faith and unwavering dedication to service,” said Sheikh Taylor, President of the Democratic Party. “In Mississippi, we have deep admiration for his lifelong commitment to improving the lives of others, especially the most vulnerable among us. His work with Habitat for Humanity, which has touched countless families across our state, is a testament to his belief in the dignity of all people and the transformative power of community.
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Carter, most fondly remembered for his philanthropic work after his presidency, died last month at the age of 100. This week, Americans across the country had the chance to mourn his passing at his funeral in Washington, DC.
A Baptist Christian from Georgia, Carter visited Mississippi several times before, during, and after his ascension to the presidency. He was also the last Democratic presidential candidate to win the Magnolia State.
In one of his first presidential addresses to Mississippians after the election, he said the following:
“People just didn’t believe that a Southerner could be elected president,” Carter told a Mississippi crowd in July 1977. “But you and I, together, showed them that they were wrong.”
Grant McLaughlin covers the Legislature and state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.