JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi’s Republican agriculture and commerce commissioner is announcing a run for governor in 2027.
In announcing his candidacy, Andy Gipson said he will fight for conservative principles, and that he has “always been in the fight with President Donald J. Trump.”
He described himself as a “proven fiscal conservative” and vowed to fight for Mississippi farmers, ranchers, loggers and landowners “against radical left-wing regulations.”
Gipson is an attorney and Baptist pastor. He was a state representative when then-Gov. Phil Bryant appointed him to be the state’s agriculture commissioner in 2018.
During his time as a Mississippi lawmaker, Gipson backed legislation banning abortions once a heartbeat becomes detectable, declaring “personhood” for fertilized eggs and allowing guns in houses of worship.
He also backed the 15-week abortion ban that ultimately led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the downfall of federal abortion rights. Last year, he publicly spoke out against passing a law to protect in-vitro fertilization.
Mississippi Free Press News Editor Ashton Pittman made additions regarding Gipson’s legislative record.