On Tuesday, April 15, former state representative and speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives, Phillip Gunn, announced his candidacy for Governor. From 2004 to 2023, Gunn represented the state’s 56th House district, which covers major portions of Clinton, including the main campus of Mississippi College.
Gunn delivered an approximately 17-minute speech to an eager crowd at the Clinton visitors center off of Pinehaven Drive. The Clintonian addressed Mississippi’s recent success in education, business, and infrastructure development. Gunn also spoke about his desire to lower taxes, cut state spending, and maintain Mississippi’s values. “We must get government spending under control, we need to tax our citizens less, we need to grow jobs, not the government,” Gunn said. “Our values in Mississippi are the backbone of the strength of our state.”
Gunn is the third republican to announce gubernatorial candidacy. Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, Andy Gipson, announced his campaign in June 2025. State Auditor Shad White announced his bid to supporters in December but has not yet officially declared.
