Phil Bryant

Dewey Phillip "Phil" Bryant (born December 9, 1954) is an American politician from the state of Mississippi who has served as the 63rd Governor of Mississippi since 2012. He previously served as the 31st Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi from 2008 to 2012 and as the 40th State Auditor of Mississippi from 1996 to 2008.

Bryant, a Republican, was elected as Governor in the 2011 gubernatorial election, defeating the Democratic nominee, Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree. He was reelected in the 2015 election, defeating truck driver Robert Gray.

Early life and education

Born in Moorhead, Mississippi, Bryant was raised in Sunflower County, Mississippi in the Delta region, the son of Dewey C. and Estelle R. Bryant. His father was a diesel mechanic. Bryant's family moved to Jackson where his father worked for Jackson Mack Sales and later Dewey Phil Bryant also worked at this business as Service Manager. The year he was elected to the legislature he employed himself as an insurance investigator. Bryant holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi following attendance at Hinds Community College. He earned a master's degree at Mississippi College where he would later, before and during his early years as Governor, teach Mississippi Political History.