Delbert Hosemann

Quality 0.50 · 0 views · Updated 2 months ago

American politician (born 1947)

title: "Delbert Hosemann" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1947-births", "living-people", "politicians-from-vicksburg,-mississippi", "lieutenant-governors-of-mississippi", "secretaries-of-state-of-mississippi", "mississippi-lawyers", "mississippi-republicans", "2000-united-states-presidential-electors", "new-york-university-school-of-law-alumni", "university-of-mississippi-school-of-law-alumni", "university-of-notre-dame-alumni", "20th-century-american-lawyers", "21st-century-american-lawyers", "21st-century-american-politicians", "20th-century-mississippi-politicians"] description: "American politician (born 1947)" topic_path: "law" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delbert_Hosemann" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American politician (born 1947) ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox officeholder"]

Field	Value
name	Delbert Hosemann
image	Delbert Hosemann.jpg
caption	Hosemann in 2019
office	33rd Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi
governor	Tate Reeves
term_start	January 14, 2020
predecessor	Tate Reeves
office1	35th Secretary of State of Mississippi
governor1	Haley Barbour
Phil Bryant
term_start1	January 10, 2008
term_end1	January 14, 2020
predecessor1	Eric Clark
successor1	Michael Watson
birth_name	Charles Delbert Hosemann Jr.
birth_date
birth_place	Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S.
party	Republican
website
branch	United States Army Reserves
alma_mater	University of Notre Dame (BA)
University of Mississippi (JD)
New York University (LLM)
::

| name = Delbert Hosemann | image = Delbert Hosemann.jpg | caption = Hosemann in 2019 | office = 33rd Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi | governor = Tate Reeves | term_start = January 14, 2020 | term_end = | predecessor = Tate Reeves | successor = | office1 = 35th Secretary of State of Mississippi | governor1 = Haley Barbour Phil Bryant | term_start1 = January 10, 2008 | term_end1 = January 14, 2020 | predecessor1 = Eric Clark | successor1 = Michael Watson | birth_name = Charles Delbert Hosemann Jr. | birth_date = | birth_place = Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Republican | education = | website = | branch = United States Army Reserves | alma_mater = University of Notre Dame (BA) University of Mississippi (JD) New York University (LLM) Charles Delbert Hosemann Jr. (born June 30, 1947) is an American attorney and politician serving as the 33rd lieutenant governor of Mississippi since 2020. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the secretary of state of Mississippi from 2008 to 2020. Before entering public office, Hosemann practiced business and tax law for over three decades, specializing in mergers and acquisitions.

A native of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Hosemann attended the University of Notre Dame, the University of Mississippi School of Law, and New York University, where he earned a Master of Laws in Taxation. He enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in 1969, serving for eight years. Hosemann first ran for office in 1981 in a special election for Mississippi’s 4th congressional district but failed to secure the Republican nomination. He later became the party's nominee for the district in 1998 but lost in the general election. In 2003, he briefly campaigned for attorney general before withdrawing from the race.

Hosemann was elected Secretary of State in 2007, becoming the first Republican to hold the position since Reconstruction. During his tenure, he implemented voter ID laws, managed election integrity efforts, and oversaw the modernization of business registration systems. After three terms in office, he was elected lieutenant governor in 2019, defeating Democratic state representative Jay Hughes. As lieutenant governor, he has focused on tax reform, infrastructure investment, education funding, and Medicaid expansion. In 2023, he won re-election after fending off a primary challenge from far-right firebrand and State Senator Chris McDaniel.

Early life and career

Hosemann was born on June 30, 1947, in Vicksburg in western Mississippi. He was the oldest of three children, having two sisters. His heritage is Catholic-Austrian on his father's side and Irish on his mother's side. His father, C. Delbert Hosemann, was a tax lawyer in Vicksburg and a Lions Club governor.

He graduated from the St. Aloysius High School in Vicksburg. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1969 from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. After college, he joined the United States Army Reserve, enlisting in August 1969 for a six-year commitment; he served eight. He also worked briefly in Dayton, Ohio, to earn money for law school.

In 1972, he earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law in Oxford. In 1973, he obtained a Master of Laws in Taxation at New York University. At NYU, he focused on mergers and acquisitions.

In 1973, he joined the law firm Magruder, Montgomery, Brocato and Hosemann, working in the mergers and acquisitions practice. After the passage of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act in 1974, he became an expert in employee retirement plans. He departed in 1988. Afterwards, he became a partner at Phelps Dunbar LLP, specializing in business and tax law, until his election into office.

Early political ambitions

1981 Congressional special election

Upon the resignation of U.S. Representative Jon Hinson from Mississippi's 4th congressional district in 1981, Hosemann, who was at the time a political unknown, considered running for the seat in the special election. In March 1981, he announced his candidacy for the seat as a Republican, saying he would run a "positive and upbeat" campaign. In his announcement, he lamented unnecessary regulations and restrictions. However, the 100-delegate district GOP convention in April elected Liles Williams over Hosemann in a 54-44 ballot. Hosemann considered running in the 1982 election for the 4th district after losing in the special.

1998 Congressional campaign

Hosemann was the Republican candidate for election to Mississippi's 4th congressional district in 1998. Hosemann came first in the primary and later won in the runoff election despite criticisms of being a "closet liberal" for donating to Democratic Mississippi governor Ray Mabus in 1987. Governor Kirk Fordice endorsed Hosemann's runoff opponent in the primary. Hosemann had support from the National Rifle Association and the National Right to Life Committee.

Hosemann was considered a strong candidate: he had a financial advantage, early advertising, and running during the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal. However, the seat was considered one of the Democrat's best opportunities, and conservative Democrat Ronnie Shows, a state transportation commissioner, won.

2003 attorney general election

Hosemann was considered a potential candidate for the attorney general in the 2003 elections. He eventually ran in the Republican primary against two other candidates. He dropped out of the race in March 2003 out of concerns of exhausting funds from party donors in a three-way race.

Secretary of State of Mississippi (2008–2020)

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a6/Delbert_Hosemann_in_Kuwait.jpg" caption="Hosemann discussing [[absentee voting]] with troops deployed in [[Kuwait]], 2018"] ::

Elections

In the 2007 Mississippi elections, Hosemann ran for the Mississippi Secretary of State position to succeed Eric Clark. Political analyst Sid Salter noted Hosemann in May as one of the early leaders in the campaign. He campaigned on voter ID laws, better election administration, and fair management of public lands. One of Hosemann's campaign ads took advantage of his unusual name, which was considered by several staffers at the Clarion-Ledger as one of the best of 2007. In the primary election in August, he received 56% of the vote, besting former mayor of Columbus Jeffrey Rupp and State Representative Mike Lott of Petal. In the general election in November, Hosemann defeated Robert Smith with 58% of the vote. He became the first Republican Secretary of State for Mississippi since James Hill in 1878. He took office on January 10, 2008.

Hosemann ran for reelection in the 2011 Mississippi elections. He announced his intent in February 2011, focusing on implementing Mississippi's voter ID law. He easily won the Republican primary against a Gulfport city council member, who ran because of Hosemann's attempt to put harbor control under his office. In the primary, he reused his campaign commercials focusing on his unusual name. No Democrat ran against Hosemann, though the Reform party attempted to put a candidate on the ballot. In the end, he ran uncontested.

In February 2015, on Supertalk radio, Hosemann announced he would run for reelection in the 2015 Mississippi elections. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary and was set to face Democrat Charles Graham. An October poll by Mason-Dixon showed Hosemann to win 63% to 27%. He ended up winning against retired firefighter Graham 61% to 36%.

Tenure

Under Hosemann's tenure, he worked to enact voter ID laws. After Shelby County v. Holder in 2013, Mississippi was allowed to change its voting laws without preclearance from the Department of Justice. Following the decision, Hosemann quickly worked to implement regulations for voter ID after a 2011 vote to amend the state constitution passed, as it no longer needed DOJ preclearance. The law first took effect in the 2014 primary elections. In 2014, he won a federal court case to keep state voter file information private from the federal government. He asserted that there was no voter fraud in the 2016 election. In 2017, he refused the Trump administration's request to Mississippi's voting records to identify non-citizens voting.

The Mississippi Legislature officially ratified the 13th Amendment in 1995, but the Secretary of State's office failed to officially notify the National Archives at that time. The oversight was identified and reported to Hosemann in 2013, who quickly submitted the appropriate documentation, making Mississippi the final state to ratify the amendment.

In 2018, at the Neshoba County Fair, Hosemann announced he would not seek re-election for Secretary of State. In March 2018, he was considered a potential successor to U.S. Senator Thad Cochran after his resignation.

Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi (2020–present)

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/Delbert_Hosemann_2023.jpg" caption="Delbert Hosemann at the Mississippi Cyber Initiative Summit in 2023"] ::

Elections

Hosemann announced his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor in the 2019 Mississippi elections. During the campaign, he focused on increasing teacher pay, more infrastructure funding, expanding Medicaid, and fully funding pre-K education. He also proposed gas tax increases and increasing legislative transparency. In the Republican primary, he defeated Shane Quick and won the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor; he outraised Quick by several magnitude. In the general election, Hosemann defeated Democrat Mississippi House Representative Jay Hughes 60% to 40%. He was sworn in to the office on January 14, 2020.

In the 2023 Mississippi elections, Hosemann ran for reelection. In his announcement, he emphasized the improved fiscal status of Mississippi. He faced a primary challenge from far-right firebrand state senator Chris McDaniel who lambasted Hosemann as being too liberal; McDaniel was considered a leader of the far-right wing of the Mississippi GOP. Hosemann's campaign focused on cutting taxes, improving government efficiency, adding more prosecutors to judicial districts, funding infrastructure projects, increasing education resources, and building regionalized healthcare networks; he also touted his "conservative values." Hosemann outraised McDaniel throughout the campaign despite McDaniel receiving over $1 million in dark money. While the race was considered contentious, Hosemann defeated McDaniel 52% to 43%. Hosemann faced Democratic opponent and political newcomer Ryan Grover in the general election and won 61% to 39%. He was sworn in on January 4, 2024.

Tenure

As Lieutenant Governor, Hosemann serves as the president of the Mississippi Senate and plays a significant role in whether legislation passes.

In his first term, he oversaw the largest teacher pay raise in the history of the state. In 2022, he oversaw the legislature passing the largest tax cut in state history. The legislature also passed legislation for a new school funding formula and a youth workforce development program. During discussions on whether to change the Mississippi Flag in 2020, he initially voiced support for it to be done through referendum, but later supported the Mississippi legislature changing it; the legislature later decided retired the flag. A resident of Jackson, Mississippi, he blamed the 2022 Jackson water crisis on city leadership and refused to commit to funding for fixing infrastructure. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he supported Mississippians getting vaccinated. Hosemann angered conservative senators when he gave 13 committee chairmanships to Democratic state senators, a decision based on the fact the Senate has 52 members with 41 committees.

In his second term, Hosemann has pushed for medicaid expansion, clashing with Governor Tate Reeves. He also advocated for ending the state income tax and reducing the state grocery tax for 2025 legislative priorities. In 2025, he unveiled a $326 million tax cut plan to reduce the state income tax and grocery tax, as well as raise the gas tax to pay for infrastructure improvements.

Personal life

Hosemann married Lynn Hosemann (Lagen) in 1970, who he met at the University of Notre Dame; together they have three children. He is Catholic.

He is a member of the National Rifle Association and Ducks Unlimited. He has completed the New York City Marathon and Boston Marathon.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hosemann tested positive for coronavirus. He tested positive again two years later during the opening days of the legislative session. On February 19, 2025, Hosemann collapsed while presiding over a session in the Mississippi State Senate from dehydration; he later recovered.

Electoral history

|winner = Republican Party (United States) |loser = Democratic Party (United States)

References

"Phelps Dunbar LLP: Attorney Profile".
(January 9, 2019). "Hosemann announces bid for lieutenant governor - 'where I can make the most difference'".
Vrbin, Tess. (2020-10-13). "Flag commission member: Magnolia is 'something people would recognize' for Mississippi".
(March 5, 2018). "A Conversation with '69 Domer Delbert Hosemann – Mississippi's Secretary of State".
(October 9, 1961). "Lions Official to Speak at McComb Club Meeting". [[Enterprise-Journal]].
(2024). "2024-2028 Mississippi Blue Book". Mississippi Secretary of State.
(May 30, 2019). "Delbert Hosemann (R)". [[WJTV]].
(March 16, 1981). "Hinson Successor Speculation Begins". Laurel Leader Call.
(March 27, 1981). "Hosemann Seeks 4th District Seat". Laurel Leader Call.
(April 6, 1981). "4th District Delegates Pick Exec". Laurel Leader Call.
Williams, Brian. (October 7, 1981). "State GOP asks of Bolden role in Dowdy race". [[The Clarion-Ledger]].
"Open Mississippi House seat goes to Democrat Shows - November 3, 1998".
Holland, Gina. (June 3, 1998). "Hosemann, Davis make GOP runoff for 4th district seat". [[Sun Herald]].
(June 5, 1998). "Fordice opts to endorse GOP hopeful". [[Sun Herald]].
Holland, Gina. (June 22, 1998). "Controversial runoff pits attorney, banker for Miss. congressional seat". The Advocate.
(February 22, 2003). "Legislative Roundup: Biloxi Senator Earns Peers' Respect, Award". [[Sun Herald]].
(March 2, 2003). "Statewide Candidates". [[Sun Herald]].
(September 17, 2003). "Kitchens' departure good for GOP". Natchez Democrat.
(March 7, 2003). "Jackson attorney out of AG race". [[Clarion-Ledger]].
Hipp, Laura. (March 2, 2007). "Candidates: Secretary of state post up for grabs". [[Clarion-Ledger]].
Salter, Sid. (May 16, 2007). "Hosemann, Windsor set pace". [[Clarion-Ledger]].
Salter, Sid. (May 27, 2007). "Secretary: Republicans haven't held office since Reconstruction". [[Clarion-Ledger]].
Salter, Sid. (July 18, 2007). "Best political ad of 2007, so far". [[Clarion-Ledger]].
(July 19, 2007). "Delbert, Wilbert, Whatever...". [[Clarion-Ledger]].
"Delbert Hosemann".
Byrd, Shelia. (January 11, 2008). "7 statewide officials take oath of office". [[Hattiesburg American]].
Kenney, David. (February 24, 2011). "Delbert Hosemann seeking reelection".
(2011-03-08). "Candidate challenging Hosemann says secretary of state shouldn't control coast harbors".
(August 2, 2011). "Hosemann wins GOP nod for Miss. secretary of state". The Natchez Democrat.
(February 23, 2015). "MS SOS Delbert Hosemann will seek reelection in 2015".
(2015-03-02). "Statewide, regional candidates set for 2015".
(2015-10-27). "Mason Dixon Poll shows Phil Bryant, Tate Reeves and Delbert Hosemann all with easy re-elections".
Lee, China. (2019-03-17). "Charles Graham dies at 62".
(July 10, 2013). "Mississippi's Secretary of State moves to enforce voter ID law".
(November 12, 2013). "Voter ID Laws Passed Since 2011".
(2017). "Not Our Grandfathers' Mississippi Anymore: Implementing Mississippi's Voter Identification Requirement". Mississippi Secretary of State.
Pettus, Emily Wagster. (June 1, 2014). "Miss. to use its voter ID law Tuesday".
Ganucheau, Adam. (2017-06-30). "Hosemann on Trump voter ID request: 'Go jump in the Gulf'".
Pender, Geoff. (July 1, 2017). "Hosemann tells Trump commission 'go jump in the Gulf' on voter records".
(February 18, 2013). "Mississippi ratifies 13th amendment abolishing slavery ... 147 years late".
Ulmer, Sarah. (August 2, 2018). "Delbert Hosemann at Neshoba: He won't be running for SOS again, but his name will be higher up on the ballot".
Golshan, Tara. (March 5, 2018). "Sen. Thad Cochran is resigning — opening up another Republican seat this November".
Harrison, Bobby. (2019-01-09). "Hosemann announces bid for lieutenant governor - 'where I can make the most difference' - Mississippi Today".
Harrison, Bobby. (2019-07-31). "Lieutenant governor candidates tout same issues, but critical of each other at Neshoba".
Ganucheau, Adam. (2019-10-30). "Hosemann and Hughes seek most powerful office in Mississippi – lieutenant governor".
(July 24, 2019). "Hosemann faces Quick in GOP lieutenant governor primary".
Harrison, Bobby. (2019-05-10). "Hosemann enters summer with strong war chest for lieutenant governor; Hughes not deterred".
Zhu, Alissa. (November 5, 2019). "Mississippi election: Delbert Hosemann wins race for lieutenant governor".
Pettus, Emily Wagster. (January 10, 2020). "7 of 8 statewide officials inaugurated". [[The Greenwood Commonwealth]].
Harrison, Bobby. (2023-01-05). "Hosemann kicks off reelection campaign before overflow crowd".
Pender, Geoff. (2023-01-30). "Chris McDaniel is running for lieutenant governor".
Perlis, Wicker. "Right-wing state Sen. Chris McDaniel to run against Delbert Hosemann for MS Lt. Gov.".
(2023-08-11). "Republican voters deliver fatal blow to Mississippi's far-right conservative movement - Mississippi Today".
Pender, Geoff. (2023-06-21). "What Delbert Hosemann wants to do for Mississippi - Mississippi Today".
Pender, Geoff. (2023-08-02). "Hosemann outraises McDaniel in Lt. Gov. race - Mississippi Today".
Pettus, Emily Wagster. (2023-08-09). "Contentious Mississippi GOP primary race for lieutenant governor exposes rift among conservatives".
Pender, Geoff. (2023-11-01). "Election preview: Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann faces challenge from Ryan Grover on Nov. 7".
Ulmer, Sarah. (2024-01-04). "Seven Mississippi statewide officials sworn in for new 4-year term".
Wilson, Brian. (January 2, 2024). "Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Office of". Center for Study of Southern Culture.
Pender, Geoff. (2022-03-22). "Largest teacher pay raise in Mississippi history passes".
(2022-03-27). "Mississippi lawmakers pass largest tax cut in state history".
Pettus, Emily Wagster. (2024-05-09). "Mississippi governor signs law to set a new funding formula for public schools".
(2020-06-24). "As leaders continue to count votes to change state flag, Hosemann throws support behind legislative action - Mississippi Today".
Stribling, Will. (2021-03-04). "As Jackson residents suffer during historic water crisis, state leaders keep their distance".
Harrison, Bobby. (2021-08-13). "Hosemann urges Mississippians to get vaccine, floats idea of COVID-related special session".
Pender, Geoff. (2022-12-01). "McDaniel blasts Hosemann as too liberal, weighs Lt. Gov. run".
(2024-10-31). "Mississippi legislative leaders advocate Medicaid expansion, heading to conflict with the governor".
Pettus, Emily Wagster. (2024-10-31). "Mississippi legislative leaders advocate Medicaid expansion, heading to conflict with the governor".
Vance, Taylor. (2025-02-13). "Mississippi Lt. Gov. Hosemann unveils $326 million 'sustainable, cautious' tax cut plan".
(September 10, 2019). "Delbert Hosemann: A day in the life of the candidate". [[WJTV]].
"Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann".
Bologna, Giacomo. (July 7, 2020). "Mississippi coronavirus: Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann tests positive for COVID-19".
(2022-01-05). "Mississippi lieutenant governor tests positive for COVID-19".
(February 19, 2025). "Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann Collapses on Senate Floor".
Mississippi primary elections, 1998. (2025). ''CQ voting and elections collection (web site)''.
House general elections, Mississippi, 1992-2001 all districts. (2025). ''CQ voting and elections collection (web site)''.
(2009). "Mississippi Official and Statistical Register 2008–2012". Mississippi Secretary of State.
(2012). "Mississippi Official and Statistical Register 2012–2016". Mississippi Secretary of State.
(2017). "Mississippi Official and Statistical Register 2016–2020". Mississippi Secretary of State.
(2021). "Mississippi Official and Statistical Register 2020-2024". Mississippi Secretary of State.
(2024). "Mississippi Official and Statistical Register 2024-2028". Mississippi Secretary of State.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::