Elections are what most Mississippians think about when it comes to the responsibilities of the Secretary of State’s Office.
Mississippians can always count on me to stand for strict voter ID, to fight for secure paper ballots and restricted mail-in ballots, and to ensure that election integrity remains a top priority of the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office. The integrity of our elections is the foundation of public trust in our government. Every legal vote should count, and our elections should be secure, transparent, and worthy of the confidence of the people of Mississippi.
RELATED: Shuwaski Young announces 2027 bid for secretary of state
As the next Secretary of State, I will continue to stand firm for strict voter ID, secure paper ballots, and reasonable restrictions on mail-in ballots. We must continue to protect strict voter ID requirements, secure our elections with paper ballots, and maintain reasonable restrictions on mail-in ballots.
Election Day should mean Election Day. The people of Mississippi deserve confidence in our elections and the assurance that their votes are protected. Election integrity should never be a partisan issue. It is about protecting the right of every legal voter and maintaining the public’s trust in our democratic process.
Furthermore, the understood responsibilities of the Secretary of State’s Office should not just stop at election integrity. I firmly believe that a safe Mississippi is a prosperous Mississippi, and economic growth does not happen by accident.
Over the course of the last 14 months, I’ve had the opportunity to talk with the men and women who put their lives on the line every day across our state: our law enforcement officers. They understand what our communities need, and they make clear that Mississippians do not want to live in communities that are not safe. They understand that public safety and economic growth are connected.
Businesses do not want to invest in communities that are not safe, and that is why public safety and economic development go hand in hand. The fact is, when companies consider expanding or relocating, they look beyond taxes and incentives offered by the state. Companies consider crime rates, the strength of local law enforcement, and whether or not their employees and customers will feel safe when they work and do business.
A safe community is a competitive edge and economic advantage for our state. When families feel safe, communities become stronger. When communities are strong, businesses are more willing to invest. And when businesses invest, more opportunities are created for Mississippians. As the next Secretary of State, I’ll make sure that those pillars are top of mind in how we do business and how the Secretary of State’s Office operates.
As a conservative, my belief is that government has a responsibility to protect its citizens. When we fulfill that responsibility properly, families can thrive, businesses can invest with confidence, and our communities will no doubt prosper.
By standing firm behind law enforcement, strengthening the Department of Public Safety, and making gangs Public Enemy Number One, we will continue to build stronger communities, attract new investment, and create more opportunities for every Mississippian. Criminal gangs should not be allowed to threaten our families, intimidate our communities, or stand in the way of Mississippi’s future.
As a former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official, I understand the importance of enforcing our nation’s immigration laws and maintaining a legal workforce. I want Mississippi to work with ICE and DHS to enforce the law and remove those who are in our country illegally. We must ensure that Mississippi’s workforce is legal and that those who break our immigration laws are held accountable. Furthermore, we must safeguard against illegal aliens having access to the ballot box, as has occurred in other states.
Helping grow Mississippi’s economy is also a critical responsibility that deserves our attention if we want our next Secretary of State to be Mississippi’s top advocate for a business climate that produces economic growth.
Family-owned businesses and large employers interact with the Secretary of State’s Office for corporate documents to be filed and also to navigate state requirements for business operations. I firmly believe that this process should be simple, efficient, and focused on helping those job creators be successful and not be slowed down by unnecessary delays or bureaucratic red tape.
I know firsthand how important the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office is because I’ve seen firsthand how the office has an impact on the business success of our state. I served under Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann when he was Secretary of State. The Secretary of State should be recognized not only for protecting elections but also for providing world-class customer service to businesses and those wishing to start a business to help drive our economy.
Election integrity protects the public’s trust. Efficient government helps businesses grow. Public safety creates the environment where families and businesses can thrive.
When we protect our elections, stand firm behind law enforcement, and maintain the public’s trust, Mississippi will not just compete; we will lead. As Secretary of State, I will work to ensure Mississippi’s election integrity, public safety, and economic success for future generations, which is what Mississippi’s children deserve.
The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the views of SuperTalk Mississippi Media.
