Trey Dellinger, a Jackson-based attorney, has been named the new director of the Mississippi chapter of Americans for Prosperity.

Dellinger will replace Russ Latino, who has accepted a role as a vice president with the anti-tax advocacy group.

The Mississippi chapter, led by Latino, was vocal in recent years opposing efforts to raise the tax on gasoline to help fund what most agree is a deteriorating state and local transportation system.

In August, Gov. Phil Bryant called a special session where legislation was passed to provide funds for transportation, primarily by enacting a lottery, issuing bonds and by transferring funds from other agencies, such as education, public health and law enforcement. There was no effort in the special session to increase the gasoline tax.

Earlier, Americans for Prosperity had run ads praising Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves for leading the effort to block any increase in the gasoline tax.

Supporters of increasing the gasoline tax pointed out Mississippi’s rate of 18.4 cents per gallon is the fourth lowest in the nation. In November, voters in Missouri, one of the states with a lower gasoline tax than Mississippi, rejected a proposal to increase the state’s fuel tax.

Dellinger said, “I am incredibly honored by this opportunity. At Americans for Prosperity, we want to remove barriers so that every Mississippian can have a clear path to run hard after their dreams.

“America was the first country in the world founded on a proposition that ordinary people should have the freedom to make the most of their innate talents. Our staff and volunteers are dedicated to making that proposition a reality for every Mississippian.”

Besides being in law practice for 20 years, Dellinger served in numerous other capacities, including as government relations chair of the Madison County Business League and Foundation.

Latino said the goal is “to take the organization to the next level in Mississippi.”