Mississippi Rep. Kimberly Campbell, D-Jackson, announced her retirement from the legislature this week. She will leave her post by the end of May.
Campbell, an attorney who has served in the House since 2008, will become the Mississippi state director for AARP.
“Having held Vice-Chairman roles under both Democratic and Republican leadership in the House, I have been committed to working across partisan lines to better all of the citizens of MS,” Campbell wrote on Facebook. “However, there are seasons we all find ourselves. This is my season for change. My work at the State House is complete. It’s time to release the reins for someone else to have an opportunity to serve and lead District 72.”
District 72 stretches from Pocahontas in Hinds County to west Jackson to parts of Ridgeland in Madison County. She served as the vice chairwoman of the Banking and Financial Services committee. She also served on the Compilation, Revision and Publication, Judiciary B, Judiciary En Banc, and Public Utilities committees.
Campbell is the third House member this year to take a new job. In March, Gov. Phil Bryant appointed Rep. Linda Coleman, D-Mound Bayou, to a circuit judgeship. Coleman left the legislature mid-session for that post.
Later in March, Bryant appointed Rep. Herb Frierson, R-Poplarville and House appropriations chairman, commissioner of revenue. Frierson finished the regular session in the House and will take the Department of Revenue reigns July 1.
Bryant will set a special election to fill the vacant seat. Bryant’s office did not immediately return calls and emails for this story.
“I will ALWAYS love the citizens of House District 72,” Campbell wrote. “But when God says, “move”… You must heed his call! There are some offers, you just CANNOT refuse! I’ll be resigning from the House of Representatives by the close of May. This is an exciting new chapter for my girls & me, please keep us in prayer! I THANK God for positioning me for the next level. As Kobe Bryant did, I’m leaving on my own terms.”