Haley Barbour facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Haley Barbour
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| 63rd Governor of Mississippi | |
| In office January 13, 2004 – January 10, 2012 |
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| Lieutenant | Amy Tuck Phil Bryant |
| Preceded by | Ronnie Musgrove |
| Succeeded by | Phil Bryant |
| Chair of the Republican National Committee | |
| In office January 29, 1993 – January 17, 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Richard Bond |
| Succeeded by | Jim Nicholson |
| White House Director of Political Affairs | |
| In office June 17, 1986 – March 16, 1987 Serving with Mitch Daniels, Frank Donatelli
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Bill Lacy |
| Succeeded by | Frank Lavin |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Haley Reeves Barbour
October 22, 1947 Yazoo City, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Marsha Dickson
(m. 1971) |
| Education | University of Mississippi, Oxford (JD) |
| Signature |  |
Haley Reeves Barbour (born October 22, 1947) is an American lawyer and politician. He served as the 63rd governor of Mississippi from 2004 to 2012. He is a member of the Republican Party. Before becoming governor, he was the chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1993 to 1997.
Barbour was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi. He studied at the University of Mississippi, earning both his undergraduate and law degrees. He was active in the Republican Party during the 1970s and 1980s. Many believe he helped build the Republican Party in Mississippi. In 1982, he ran for the U.S. Senate but lost to John C. Stennis.
In 2003, Barbour became the second Republican governor of Mississippi since the Reconstruction period. He won against the Democratic governor at the time, Ronnie Musgrove. As governor, he led Mississippi's response to major natural disasters. These included Hurricane Katrina and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. After his time as governor, Barbour returned to working as a lobbyist.
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Early Life and Education
Haley Barbour was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi. He was the youngest of three sons. His father, a lawyer, passed away when Haley was two years old.
Barbour went to the University of Mississippi School of Law. He earned his law degree in 1972. After finishing law school, he joined his father's old law firm in Yazoo City.
Early Political Career
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Barbour quickly became important in the Republican Party. He helped with Gerald Ford's presidential campaign in 1976. He also worked for Ronald Reagan's team in the White House. Later, he helped with George H. W. Bush's presidential campaign in 1988.
In 1982, Barbour ran for the United States Senate in Mississippi. He was the Republican candidate. However, he lost to the long-serving Democrat, John C. Stennis.
Lobbying Work
Before becoming governor, Barbour had a long career as a lobbyist. A lobbyist is someone who tries to influence government decisions on behalf of a group or company. Barbour was known as a very successful lobbyist in Washington, D.C..
In 1991, Barbour helped start a lobbying firm called BGR Group. This firm worked for many large companies. After he finished his term as governor, Barbour returned to working with this firm.
Republican National Committee Chairman
In 1993, Haley Barbour became the chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC). The RNC is a main organization for the Republican Party.
During his time as RNC chairman, Republicans won control of both parts of the United States Congress in 1994. This was the first time they had controlled the House of Representatives in 40 years. Barbour left his role as RNC chairman in 1997.
Governor of Mississippi
2003 Election
After working in Washington, D.C. for 20 years, Barbour decided to run for governor of Mississippi in 2003. He won the Republican primary election.
In the main election on November 4, 2003, Barbour defeated the governor at the time, Ronnie Musgrove. Barbour received 53 percent of the votes. He became only the second Republican governor elected in Mississippi since the Reconstruction era. Barbour took office in January 2004.
Financial Decisions
When Barbour became governor, Mississippi had a large budget deficit. This means the state was spending more money than it was taking in. Barbour worked with both Republicans and Democrats to cut the deficit. He did this by reducing some government spending.
He also supported a new law called "tort reform." This law made it harder to file certain lawsuits against companies. Barbour believed this would help businesses in Mississippi.
Tobacco Tax
During his first term, Barbour did not approve a bill to increase the state's cigarette tax. Mississippi had one of the lowest cigarette taxes in the country. He argued that the tax increase would not bring in enough money and could hurt the state's finances, especially after Hurricane Katrina.
However, in May 2009, Barbour signed a law to increase the cigarette tax. It went from 18 cents to 68 cents per pack. This was the first increase since 1985. The tax was expected to bring in more money for the state.
2007 Re-election
On February 8, 2007, Barbour announced he would run for a second term as governor. He promised not to create new taxes or raise existing ones.
Barbour won the Republican primary election. Then, in the November general election, he defeated Democrat John Arthur Eaves Jr. to win his second term.
Civil Rights Museum
Barbour played an important role in getting state support for the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. This museum tells the story of the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi. Laws to fund the museum had been suggested for years but did not pass.
In 2006, Barbour suggested creating a state group to plan the museum. He said the museum was "overdue." In April 2011, the museum received $20 million in funding from the Mississippi Legislature. Barbour personally spoke in favor of the funding.
Pardons in 2012
On his last day as governor in 2012, Barbour granted pardons or early release to many people convicted of crimes. A pardon means a person is forgiven for a crime and their punishment is ended.
A Mississippi judge temporarily stopped the release of some inmates who had been pardoned. The state's Attorney General argued that the state constitution required public notice in newspapers before pardons could be granted. Barbour said that most of the people pardoned had already been released from prison years earlier. He stated his actions would help them find jobs and vote. The Mississippi Supreme Court later upheld the pardons.
After Being Governor
After leaving office, Barbour returned to his work as a lobbyist. He also became a speaker. He suggested that the Republican Party should take a more moderate approach on some issues. For example, he said the party should soften its stance on illegal immigration. He also suggested reaching out more to Latino voters.
In 2018, Barbour was stopped at an airport with a loaded handgun in his briefcase. He said he had forgotten it was there and paid the fine.
Awards and Honors
In 2009, Barbour received an honorary award from the University Philosophical Society at Trinity College, Dublin. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency headquarters building was named in his honor in 2012.
Also in 2012, The Center for Manufacturing Excellence at the University of Mississippi was named after him.
Images for kids
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Haley Barbour's signature
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Barbour with President George W. Bush in 2006
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From left, Barbour with Kathleen Sebelius, Condoleezza Rice, Jennifer Granholm and Sonny Perdue
See also
In Spanish: Haley Barbour para niños
