A native of Vicksburg, C. Delbert Hosemann Jr. has served as Mississippi’s secretary of state since 2008.

His political career began with an unsuccessful campaign for Mississippi’s 4th Congressional District in 1998. Hosemann was once registered as Democrat before switching to the GOP.

During his 2007 campaign for Secretary of State, Hosemann gained name recognition through a series of television ads. In the commercials, an elderly woman would talk about the good things he would do in office, but then forget his name. While encouraging people to go out and vote, the woman would mispronounce Hosemann’s name and he would correct her before continuing the reminder. Advertising from Hosemann in subsequent political seasons have followed this format.

Hosemann graduated from University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, in 1969 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. In 1972, he earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law.

Hosemann is married to Lynn L. Hosemann, and they have three children. He lives in Jackson, where he is a partner with Phelps Dunbar LLP.


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Will Stribling covers healthcare and breaking news for Mississippi Today.