ABOUT

Lt. Governor Phil Bryant

Known for strong integrity and sincere concern for his fellow man, Phil Bryant was elected Mississippi’s 37th Lt. Governor with an overwhelming 59% of the vote in November, 2007.

That reputation was earned during his tenure as State Auditor where he recovered more than $12 million in taxpayers’ dollars that were embezzled or improperly spent. He was first appointed to that position by former Governor Kirk Fordice in 1996, won re-election by a vast majority in 1999 and was re-elected in 2003, winning 81 out of 82 counties. In a job where honesty and trustworthiness are the foundations for building public confidence in state government, Phil Bryant has already made a positive difference for Mississippians.

As Lt. Governor, Phil Bryant is continuing his work to ensure accountability in state government. In his first week of office, Bryant proposed webcasting of the Senate proceedings so taxpayers could see their government in action and hold their elected officials accountable. The Senate unanimously approved this innovative, open-government measure. He also led the fight to pass the most comprehensive ethics reform in nearly twenty-five years, which among other things, requires all elected officials to file their ethics reports online.

Lt. Governor Bryant has a long history of fighting for conservative beliefs, like lower taxes and traditional values. Prior to serving as State Auditor, Bryant served five years as a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives where he was Vice Chairman of the Insurance Committee and authored the Capital Gains Tax Cut Act of 1994. In fact, the last time Mississippi businesses received a reduction of their state taxes was when Phil Bryant successfully led the fight to end the capital gains tax in Mississippi based corporations. As a freshman legislator, Phil Bryant began a five-year struggle to end the marriage penalty in Mississippi’s tax code.

Bryant, the son of a diesel mechanic and a mother who stayed home with her three boys, learned early the values of hard work and the importance of education. The Moorhead native and former deputy sheriff earned his Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master’s Degree in political science from Mississippi College. In fact, Bryant now serves as an adjunct professor of Government at Mississippi College.

Bryant is the contributing author of three books: 21st Century Government - Digital Promise, Digital Reality and Leadership Secrets of Government Financial Officials, the fourth and fifth volumes of a leadership series with an emphasis on financial management, human resources, technology, and auditing; and, Best Case Practices. This publication highlights the innovative initiatives of fellow Republican Lt. Governors all across our country.

Governor Bryant’s persistence in promoting conservative public policy stems from his belief that people, not the government, know best how to take care of their own money. His consistent views and actions in public service helped him earn the 2004 Statesman of the Year award presented by the American Family Radio.

Because of his love of the outdoors and his belief in the 2nd Amendment, he has been a longtime member of the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action and is a recipient of the Kirk Fordice Freedom Award presented annually by the Central Mississippi chapter of the NRA. He served as the 2008 Honorary Chairman of the Republican Lieutenant Governor’s Association and is a past president of the Mississippi Republican Elected Officials Association. He currently serves on the National Lt. Governor’s Association Executive Committee as the Southern Region Republican at Large member.

Lt. Governor Bryant’s dedication to his work is evident through his years of public service, but his faith and family have always come first. Phil Bryant and his wife, Deborah, have two children, Katie and Patrick. The Bryants are active members of St. Marks United Methodist Church.