Every Mississippian deserves to have his or her voice heard in shaping the future of our state. The Mississippi Standing Joint Legislative Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting public hearings provide this important opportunity.

Redistricting may sound technical, but its impact is deeply personal. The boundaries of our state’s districts help determine who represents our communities in all levels of government.

As we inch closer to the November Midterm Elections, it is important to remember we live in an age where misinformation spreads faster than ever before. With a few clicks, false narratives can spread across our communities, state, and country. Additionally, artificial intelligence has amplified this challenge, making it easier to create convincing fake images, videos, audio, and written content which blurs the line between fact and fiction.

The elections landscaping is steadily changing, and often, with change comes confusion. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted several changes to state election laws and voting procedures, leaving many voters unsure about how, when, and where to cast their ballot for the 2020 General Election. While presidential elections are a national conversation, it is important to remember elections are administered at the local level with different laws in place for each state. Mississippians must stay vigilant when it comes to election information and prepare accordingly before hitting the polls.

As a lifetime Mississippian, I’m proud of the continued advancements of our beloved Magnolia State. Amid a pandemic and volatile economy, Mississippi has continued to live up to its resilient reputation and expand its illustrious resume.

Over the last few decades, Mississippi has weathered the impacts of numerous natural disasters which have strained our state’s infrastructure, public lands, waterways, wildlife, and farmland.

Mississippians are blessed with great hunting, an abundance of productive farmland, vibrant forests, and pristine bodies of water for fishing and boating.  And while I understand not all are outdoor enthusiasts, our natural resources provide a tremendous benefit to our state’s economy, quality of life, and a means to improve human health. The quality of our air, drinking water, and foods we eat, along with the enjoyment provided by nature directly affect our welfare, and all are affected by conservation. 

COVID-19 has undermined the wellbeing of Mississippi far beyond the scope of public health. Businesses are closing, and, more often than not, their owners and workers can do little to nothing to stem the change in economic tides. The temporary shutdown did more than send workers home for a few months; it has paved the way for a historic economic shift.

As the only statewide elected official from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I have been actively involved in monitoring the potential impacts of the proposed Mississippi River Sediment Diversion (MRSD) projects in Louisiana’s coastal master plan. I am thankful the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) and the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) teamed up on the recent Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion (MBrSD) Assessment. My stance has not changed.

Upon taking office as Mississippi’s 36th Secretary of State, I swore an oath to uphold the Mississippi Constitution and faithfully discharge the duties of my office. I do not take this responsibility lightly and believe we should all work together to ensure the law is followed, and Mississippi maintains free and fair elections. For this reason, I’m asking for your support of House Bill 1310 (HB 1310) which would further preserve the integrity of Mississippi elections.

As a long-time sports fanatic, I can’t help but love this time of year—March Madness is upon us and college baseball and softball are gearing up. While this brings a great deal of excitement, it can also create an uptick in human trafficking (HT).