Delbert Hosemann

Delbert Hosemann
Hosemann in 2019
Delbert Hosemann
Born	Charles Delbert Hosemann Jr. 30 6, 1947
Birthplace	Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Attorney, politician
Known for	33rd Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi; 35th Secretary of State of Mississippi
Education	New York University (LL.M.)
Website	[https://ltgovhosemann.ms.gov/ Official site]

Charles Delbert Hosemann Jr. (born June 30, 1947) is an American attorney and politician who has served as the 33rd lieutenant governor of Mississippi since January 14, 2020. A member of the Republican Party, Hosemann previously served three terms as the 35th secretary of state of Mississippi from 2008 to 2020, becoming the first Republican to hold that office since the Reconstruction era. Before entering politics, Hosemann practiced business and tax law for more than three decades, specializing in mergers and acquisitions at the prominent law firm Phelps Dunbar. A native of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Hosemann's career has spanned military service in the United States Army Reserve, multiple unsuccessful bids for federal and state office in the 1980s and 1990s, and an eventual rise through Mississippi's executive branch. As lieutenant governor, he has focused on tax reform, infrastructure investment, education funding, and addressing Medicaid expansion, shaping the legislative agenda of the Mississippi State Senate during a period of significant policy debate in the state.

Early Life

Charles Delbert Hosemann Jr. was born on June 30, 1947, in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He grew up in the river city, which played a significant role in the American Civil War and has long been an important cultural and economic center in the state of Mississippi. Details about his parents and family background during his upbringing in Vicksburg are not extensively documented in public records, but his later public career would be closely tied to the state where he was raised.

In 1969, Hosemann enlisted in the United States Army Reserve, where he served for eight years. His military service coincided with the era of the Vietnam War, and his commitment to the Army Reserve reflected a pattern common among young men of his generation who balanced civilian careers with military obligations. Hosemann's years in the Reserve would later be cited as part of his broader record of public service during his political campaigns.

After completing his military obligation, Hosemann focused his energies on building a career in law, drawing on the extensive academic training he had received at several prominent universities. He would ultimately settle in the Jackson metropolitan area, where he would establish himself as a leading practitioner of business and tax law before transitioning to public life.

Education

Hosemann pursued a rigorous academic path that prepared him for his eventual career in tax and business law. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame, graduating with the Class of 1969. He then returned to his home state to attend the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree.

Following his law degree, Hosemann pursued advanced studies at New York University, one of the nation's leading institutions for tax law, where he earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation. This specialized degree positioned him as an expert in the complexities of tax law and corporate transactions, providing the foundation for his more than three decades of private legal practice in mergers and acquisitions. His academic credentials from three distinct institutions—a Catholic university in Indiana, a flagship state law school in Mississippi, and a premier tax law program in New York—reflected a breadth of educational experience that would serve him in both his legal and political careers.

Career

Legal Career

Before entering public office, Hosemann built a substantial career as a practicing attorney specializing in business and tax law. He was a partner at Phelps Dunbar, one of the largest and most prominent law firms in the southeastern United States, with offices across multiple states. At Phelps Dunbar, Hosemann focused on mergers and acquisitions, corporate transactions, and tax-related matters, developing expertise over more than thirty years of practice. His long tenure at the firm and his specialization in complex business transactions established his reputation in Mississippi's legal community and would later provide him with a network and skill set that he brought to public office.

Early Political Campaigns

Hosemann's first foray into electoral politics came in 1981, when he ran in a special election for Mississippi's 4th congressional district. He sought the Republican nomination but was unsuccessful in securing it. At the time, the Republican Party was still building its presence in Mississippi, and the race provided an early test of Hosemann's political ambitions.

Hosemann returned to the political arena in 1998, when he won the Republican nomination for Mississippi's 4th congressional district. However, he lost in the general election, failing to unseat the Democratic incumbent. In 2003, Hosemann briefly campaigned for attorney general of Mississippi but withdrew from the race before the election. These setbacks did not deter his political aspirations, and Hosemann continued to remain active in Republican Party circles in the state, laying the groundwork for his eventual successful bid for statewide office.

Secretary of State of Mississippi (2008–2020)

Hosemann was elected secretary of state of Mississippi in 2007, taking office on January 10, 2008. His victory was historically significant: he became the first Republican to serve as Mississippi's secretary of state since the Reconstruction era, a period that ended in the late 1870s. He succeeded Eric Clark, a Democrat who had held the office, and served under Governors Haley Barbour and Phil Bryant during his tenure.

During his time as secretary of state, Hosemann oversaw several notable initiatives. He implemented voter ID laws in Mississippi, a policy that generated both support and controversy. Supporters argued that requiring identification to vote would strengthen election integrity, while critics raised concerns about potential voter suppression. Hosemann championed the measures as part of broader election integrity efforts during his administration.

In addition to election administration, Hosemann oversaw the modernization of business registration systems within the Secretary of State's office, streamlining processes for corporations and other entities filing in the state. This modernization effort was part of his broader approach to making the office more efficient and accessible to the public and business community.

One notable episode during Hosemann's tenure occurred in 2013, when it was reported that Mississippi had not officially ratified the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolished slavery, until 1995—and even then, the ratification had not been properly filed with the Federal Register. The oversight was corrected in February 2013, and the Secretary of State's office played a role in ensuring the paperwork was finally submitted.

Hosemann served three terms as secretary of state, and by 2018, he signaled that he would not seek re-election to the position. At the Neshoba County Fair, a traditional venue for Mississippi political announcements, Hosemann indicated that while he would not run for secretary of state again, his name would appear "higher up on the ballot," hinting at his forthcoming bid for lieutenant governor. He was succeeded as secretary of state by Michael Watson, a fellow Republican.

Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi (2020–present)

2019 Election

In January 2019, Hosemann formally announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor of Mississippi, stating that the position was "where I can make the most difference" for the state. His announcement came amid broader speculation about the 2019 Mississippi statewide elections, which also saw then-Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves running for governor.

Hosemann ran on a platform emphasizing his experience in statewide administration and his record of modernizing the Secretary of State's office. He won the Republican primary and advanced to the general election, where he faced Democratic state representative Jay Hughes. In the November 2019 general election, Hosemann won decisively, securing the lieutenant governorship. He took office on January 14, 2020, succeeding Tate Reeves, who had been inaugurated as governor the same day.

First Term

As lieutenant governor, Hosemann serves as the president of the Mississippi State Senate, wielding significant influence over the legislative process, including committee assignments, the flow of legislation, and the overall policy agenda of the upper chamber. His role places him at the center of Mississippi's legislative debates on a wide range of issues.

During his first term, Hosemann focused on several key policy areas, including tax reform, infrastructure investment, education funding, and the perennially contentious issue of Medicaid expansion in Mississippi. Mississippi is one of the states that had not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, and the question of whether to do so became a significant point of debate during Hosemann's tenure. His willingness to engage with the issue distinguished him from some other Republican leaders in the state who had categorically opposed expansion.

Hosemann also navigated the legislative challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which dominated much of the 2020 and 2021 legislative sessions. The pandemic required emergency appropriations and policy responses that tested the capacity of Mississippi's state government.

2023 Re-election

In 2023, Hosemann sought re-election as lieutenant governor. He faced a primary challenge from State Senator Chris McDaniel, who positioned himself to Hosemann's right on the political spectrum. McDaniel, known for his previous campaigns including a contentious 2014 United States Senate primary against Thad Cochran, mounted an aggressive challenge. Hosemann successfully fended off the primary challenge and won re-election in the general election, securing a second term as lieutenant governor.

Second Term and Legislative Priorities

In his second term, Hosemann has continued to shape the Mississippi Senate's legislative agenda. Ahead of the 2026 legislative session, he outlined a range of priorities including addressing chronic absenteeism in Mississippi schools, education funding, and the state's public employee retirement system (PERS).

Hosemann has taken steps to recognize schools in Mississippi that have achieved high attendance rates, as part of a broader effort to combat chronic absenteeism, which he has identified as a significant challenge facing the state's education system.

In October 2025, Hosemann also announced an emphasis on economic development and housing initiatives focused on Jackson, the state capital, which has faced significant infrastructure and population challenges in recent years. This initiative was announced approximately three months after Jackson Mayor John Horhn took office, suggesting a degree of coordination between the state Senate leadership and the city's new administration.

In January 2026, at the opening of the legislative session, Hosemann highlighted achievements from previous sessions and outlined goals for the year, speaking at Mississippi State University and emphasizing the Senate's intention to "build on success of the past."

During his second term, Hosemann has also been the subject of criticism from some conservative commentators and media outlets regarding the Mississippi Senate's handling of school choice legislation. The Wall Street Journal published a rebuke of Hosemann and the Mississippi Senate for blocking school choice measures, a position that placed him at odds with some elements of the national Republican policy agenda.

In August 2025, Hosemann provided a preview of the upcoming 2026 session during a stop at WTOK in Meridian, discussing his legislative vision and priorities for the state.

Personal Life

Hosemann has maintained his primary residence in Mississippi throughout his career. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame Class of 1969, he has remained connected to his alma mater and participated in alumni activities, including being featured in a conversation with fellow members of the Class of 1969. His military service included eight years in the United States Army Reserve, beginning with his enlistment in 1969.

Details about Hosemann's family life, including information about a spouse or children, are not extensively documented in the available public sources reviewed for this article. Hosemann has maintained an official website in connection with both his political campaigns and his governmental role as lieutenant governor.

Recognition

Hosemann's election as secretary of state in 2007 was recognized as a historically significant moment in Mississippi politics, as he became the first Republican to hold the office since the Reconstruction era, breaking a Democratic hold on the position that had lasted well over a century. His subsequent election as lieutenant governor in 2019 further cemented his standing as one of the most prominent Republican officeholders in Mississippi history.

His work in modernizing business registration systems during his time as secretary of state was noted as an achievement in making state government more accessible and efficient. As lieutenant governor, his legislative leadership on tax reform, education, and infrastructure has been recognized by various Mississippi media outlets and political observers as shaping the direction of state policy.

Hosemann's willingness to engage with policy issues that sometimes placed him at odds with the more conservative wing of his own party—such as Medicaid expansion discussions and his approach to school choice legislation—has drawn both praise from moderates and criticism from conservatives, making him a distinctive figure within Mississippi Republican politics.

Legacy

As of 2026, Hosemann continues to serve as lieutenant governor of Mississippi, making a definitive assessment of his legacy premature. However, several aspects of his career have already left a mark on Mississippi politics. His election as secretary of state in 2007 represented a milestone in the Republican Party's ascendancy in Mississippi, a state that had been dominated by the Democratic Party at the state level for most of the 20th century. By becoming the first Republican secretary of state since Reconstruction, Hosemann helped consolidate the GOP's hold on statewide offices in Mississippi.

His twelve years as secretary of state, spanning three terms, made him one of the longer-serving figures in that role in modern Mississippi history. The voter ID laws he implemented and the election integrity measures he championed remain part of Mississippi's electoral framework, though they continue to be subjects of debate.

As lieutenant governor, Hosemann's influence over the Mississippi Senate has shaped legislative outcomes on issues ranging from taxation to education to economic development. His emphasis on infrastructure investment in Jackson and his focus on chronic absenteeism in schools reflect priorities that may have lasting effects on state policy. His successful defense of his position against a challenge from the right in the 2023 primary demonstrated the continued viability of a pragmatic, governance-oriented approach within the Republican Party in Mississippi, even amid national trends toward more ideologically driven politics.