Andy Gipson

James Andrew Gipson (born December 21, 1976) is an American politician. He is the current Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce. A member of the Republican Party, Gipson served as a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from the 77th District from 2008 until his appointment as Agriculture Commissioner in 2018.[1][2][3]

Andy Gipson
8th Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner of Mississippi
Incumbent
Assumed office April 2, 2018
Governor	Phil Bryant Tate Reeves
Preceded by	Cindy Hyde-Smith
Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from the 77th district
In office January 8, 2008 – April 2, 2018
Preceded by	Clint Rotenberry
Succeeded by	Price Wallace
Personal details
Born	James Andrew Gipson (1976-12-21) December 21, 1976 Flowood, Mississippi, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Leslie Gipson
Education	Mississippi College (BA, JD)

Gipson is special counsel in the law firm of Jones Walker LLP's banking and financial services practice group in Jackson.[4]

State Representative 2008-2018

In the Mississippi House, Gipson has championed bills to allow guns to be carried in more places, such as on university campuses, and to more easily sue government agencies for gun bans or other policies believed to violate gun rights legislation.[5] Gipson's legislation was opposed by state university officials and the Southeastern Conference (SEC), which Gipson suggested was "evidence of the 'deep state' manipulating and working against the people."[5]

Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner

On March 30, 2018, Governor Phil Bryant announced that he would appoint Gipson to the office of Mississippi Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner, succeeding Cindy Hyde-Smith, who was appointed by Bryant to serve in the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy left by Thad Cochran.[6][7] He was sworn in on April 2 to complete Hyde-Smith's uncompleted term.

2019 General Election

With 845,529 votes cast on the ballot for the Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Gipson easily defended his seat with a 59% to 41% win. Mississippi has a nearly $9 billion industry in Agriculture and Commerce. In Gipson's acceptance speech he announced his office will focus on workforce development among teens.[8]

References

1. "Andy Gipson". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
2. Pender, Geoff (March 28, 2017). "Mississippi passes domestic abuse divorce reform". Jackson Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
3. "Open States". Retrieved March 29, 2017.
4. "Jones Walker". Retrieved March 29, 2017.
5. Geoff Pender and Jimmie E. Gates (February 8, 2018). "Miss. lawmaker displays pistol to protest gun legislation". Clarion-Ledger. Jackson, Miss.
6. MS News Now. "Governor Phil Bryant appoints Rep. Andy Gipson as Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce". Archived from the original on April 1, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
7. Clarion Ledger. "Gov. Phil Bryant names Rep. Andy Gipson ag commissioner". Retrieved April 1, 2018.
8. "2019 Election".

Mississippi House of Representatives
Preceded by Clint Rotenberry	Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from the 77th district 2008–2018	Succeeded by Price Wallace
Political offices
Preceded by Cindy Hyde-Smith	Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner of Mississippi 2018–present	Incumbent