In a job where honesty and integrity are the foundations for building public confidence in state government, Phil Bryant is making a positive difference for Mississippians.

Since 1996, Phil Bryant has served Mississippi as State Auditor. He was first appointed by Governor Kirk Fordice, and elected to this state-wide position in 1999, and again in 2003. His strong focus on bringing accountability to state government is demonstrated by his determination and his record. To ensure that taxpayers’ funds are being used properly by state government, the State Auditor’s office has the authority to audit approximately $11 billion of taxpayers’ dollars each year.

As a result, the State Auditor’s Office brings accountability and also serves as a deterrent to public corruption. Through aggressive public corruption investigation efforts, Phil Bryant¹s office has recovered more than $12 million in taxpayers’ dollars that were embezzled or improperly spent.

Phil has a long history of fighting for conservative beliefs, like lower taxes. Prior to serving as State Auditor, Phil 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 wrote the bill and successfully led the fight to end the capital gains tax in Mississippi based corporations. As a freshman legislator, Phil began a five year struggle to end the marriage penalty in Mississippi’s tax code.

To make government more efficient, Phil has worked tirelessly to expand electronic government capabilities on the local and state levels. Auditor Bryant is a contributing author of two books: 21st Century Government -Digital Promise, Digital Reality and Leadership Secrets of Government Financial Officials. These books are the fourth and fifth volumes of a leadership series with an emphasis on financial management, human resources, technology, and auditing.

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

Phil has served on the Executive Committee of the National Association of State Auditors. 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. He is also a past president of the Mississippi Republican Elected Officials Association.

Phil has worked with groups such as Habitat for Humanity, and he is currently serving as a mentor and former board member of the Mississippi Mentoring Network, as well as Mission Mississippi and Methodist Children's Home.

Phil Bryant is a lifelong Mississippian. His dedication to his work is evident through his years of public service, but his faith and family always come first. Phil is married to the former Deborah Hays of Jackson and they have two children. The Bryants are active members of St. Marks United Methodist Church.