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 he filed the organization’s paperwork with the Mississippi Secretary of State Office.
Duff has also publicly stated he is considering a run for the governor’s seat in 2027. His most obvious opponents in the race thus far are some of Mississippi’s top GOP-elected officials. They are Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, Attorney General Lynn Fitch and State Auditor Shad White.
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“Tommy Duff is 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 and potential legislative special elections.”
The move, aside from being a politically shrewd option to build campaign dollars, would likely get him points with GOP politicians within Mississippi between now and 2027.
Forbes lists Duff’s net worth at $3 billion. It listed the same for his brother and business partner, Jim.
“Our mission is to support conservative candidates and advance policies that promote opportunities, freedom, faith-based values, and prosperity across Mississippi,” Russell said. “We are planning a significant investment in multiple races in our state to ensure strong, conservative leadership at every level of government.”
Later this year, aside from the municipal elections, several special elections are slated to take place due to the passing of two-House members and Sen. Jenifer Branning, R-Philadelphia, winning her race to become a Mississippi Supreme Court Justice for the Central District.
There will also be special elections stemming for a federally mandated redistricting of two-House districts and one Senate district. The effort will likely result in many other districts being redrawn, resulting in more special elections.
Attorney general releases legislative priorities
On Jan. 9, Attorney General Lynn Fitch released her legislative priorities for 2025.
Among them, she is asking lawmakers to pass a legislation to shore up the state’s antiquated campaign finance laws by adding transparency with the goal to “Stop out-of-state dark money influence in Mississippi elections.”
Among her many other priorities, Fitch is also seeking a parental leave law to give women the chance to have paid leave after giving birth.
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Notably, she is also asking for:
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Creating an Opioid Settlement Fund Committee to distribute more than $300 million secured through settlements with opioid manufacturers, distributors and others who contributed to the opioid epidemic in Mississippi.
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Requiring audits of nonprofit organizations that receive $10 million or more in public funds.
For a full 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 for former Democratic President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29.
“Today, we join the nation in mourning the passing of President Jimmy Carter, a man of unparalleled humility, unwavering faith, and steadfast dedication to service,” said Cheikh Taylor, Democratic Party chair. “In Mississippi, we hold a 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 touched countless families in our state, stands as a testament to his belief in the dignity of all people and the transformative power of community.”
Mississippi remembers Jimmy Carter: Mississippi Habitat For Humanity remembers Jimmy Carter
Carter, most fondly remembered for his philanthropic work after his presidency, died last month at the age of 100. This week, Americans from throughout the nation have been given the chance to mourn his passing during his funeral in Washington, D.C.
A Baptist Christian from Georgia, Carter visited Mississippi on several occasions before, during and after his rise to the presidency. He was also the last Democratic candidate for president 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 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.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: State politics: Duff forms PAC in MS. Updates on AG, Jimmy Carter