Auditor Shad White launches bid for Mississippi governorship

State Auditor Shad White officially entered the race for Mississippi governor on Monday, launching a campaign built on his record of auditing state spending. White, who has held the statewide position since 2018, announced his candidacy after months of speculation regarding his future in politics.

The announcement coincides with White’s claim that his office identified more than $335 million in inefficient spending across state agencies. This figure, attributed to an internal review labeled Project Momentum, stems from findings related to information technology contracts, government vehicle fleets, building insurance, and office space costs. White’s team has also pursued investigations into public welfare fraud and the mismanagement of funds intended for low-income families.

White serves as a captain in the Mississippi National Guard and completed a deployment to the Middle East earlier this year for Operation Epic Fury. In a social media video, he described his background to voters. “I’m a Christian. I’m a husband. I’m a father to three little kids. I’m a soldier. I deployed this past year to the Middle East for Operation Epic Fury,” White said. He added that he is a Trump supporter and that his audit team uncovered record amounts of fraud and waste in state government.

The Republican field for governor now includes four candidates. White joins Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson, former House Speaker Philip Gunn, and Attorney General Lynn Fitch. On the Democratic side, civil rights advocate Priscilla Till and former state trooper Ivana Williams have also declared their intentions to run. The party primaries are scheduled for August of next year, with the general election following in November.

White’s platform focuses on three primary areas: reducing taxes, combating corruption, and improving education. He stated that he will promote classroom curricula designed to prepare students for the workforce rather than exposing them to political ideologies. He also pledged to protect state farmlands from foreign ownership and to enforce strict immigration policies.

“We’re going to support President Trump’s efforts to get illegal immigrants out of this country, and heck, I’ll even send illegals to the liberal states who say they want them,” White said. He promised to enact the toughest laws in the nation against violent criminals and against politicians who steal public money.

Three individuals have already entered the race to replace White as state auditor. Former state Representative Nick Bain, state Senator Daniel Sparks, and Madison County finance lawyer Phil Buffington Jr. are seeking the Republican nomination for the vacant office. White was originally appointed to the role by former Governor Phil Bryant following the resignation of Stacey Pickering in 2018. He won unopposed in 2019 and defeated Democrat Larry Bradford in 2023.