Mississippi stands at a critical crossroads. In a time when our values are under assault and our freedoms are too often taken for granted, it is essential that we elect leaders who understand that government is not the answer to every problem — God is. We need a governor whose vision is not shaped by political convenience, but by enduring Christian principles and the practical realities of business leadership.
The strength of Mississippi’s future will not be determined merely by policies and programs, but by the moral compass of those we entrust with power. A true governor must be a faithful steward: guarding liberty, promoting righteousness, defending the family, encouraging enterprise, and humbly seeking God's wisdom every step of the way.
The following list outlines 10 qualities Mississippi must demand in its next governor, rooted both in the wisdom of our Founding Fathers and in the unchanging truth of Scripture. These are not just political ideals — they are biblical necessities for any leader who seeks to honor God and serve the people faithfully.
1. Moral Integrity:
Mississippi needs a governor whose life exemplifies Christian virtue — one who speaks truth, honors commitments, treats others with respect, and acts with pure motives even when no one is watching. True leadership flows from personal righteousness, not political expediency.
"A wise and frugal government... shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement." — Thomas Jefferson
"Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men." — II Corinthians 8:21
2. Defense of Religious Freedom:
The governor must champion the right to worship, preach, and live according to God’s Word without fear of government censorship or cultural backlash. Religious liberty is not merely a right — it is a biblical duty to protect.
"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." — John Adams
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." — Galatians 5:1
3. Pro-Business Leadership:
A governor must create an environment where businesses — from small shops to large industries — can thrive without oppressive taxation or regulation. Free enterprise honors God’s gift of work, innovation, and stewardship.
"The prosperity of commerce is now perceived and acknowledged by all enlightened statesmen to be the prosperity of the nation." — Alexander Hamilton
"That ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;" — I Thessalonians 4:11
4. Commitment to Life and Family Values:
Protecting the unborn, safeguarding marriage, and strengthening the family must be cornerstones of leadership. A society that does not value life and the family will ultimately crumble from within.
"The foundation of national morality must be laid in private families." — John Adams
"That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children," — Titus 2:4
5. Fiscal Responsibility:
The governor must resist the temptation to spend money foolishly. Stewardship of state finances — just like stewardship in the home — demands discipline, accountability, and long-term vision over short-term political gains.
"To contract new debts is not the way to pay old ones." — George Washington
"Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." — I Corinthians 4:2
6. Courage to Stand Against Cultural Pressure:
Leadership means standing firm when others compromise. Mississippi needs a governor unafraid to take biblical stands even when they are unpopular — a bold voice for righteousness in a culture that often rejects it.
"It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage... Before any human institution... we must first pay our duty to our Maker." — James Madison
"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." — I Corinthians 16:13
7. Vision for Education Rooted in Excellence and Parental Rights:
True education begins with truth — and truth begins with God. The governor must advocate for an education system that promotes excellence, respects parental authority, and encourages moral and civic virtue.
"A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people." — James Madison
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." — Ephesians 6:4
8. Champion of Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs:
Small businesses are the backbone of Mississippi’s economy. The governor should prioritize cutting red tape, eliminating excessive fees, and promoting local ownership over government control.
"The promotion of commerce is a duty second in importance only to the preservation of morals and the maintenance of religion." — Patrick Henry
"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;" — Romans 12:11
9. Defender of Law and Order:
Without law and order, liberty cannot survive. A governor must firmly support law enforcement, punish evildoers, and preserve justice while also ensuring that government power remains rightly limited.
"Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people... and a spirit of liberty." — Samuel Adams
"For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil... For he is the minister of God to thee for good." — Romans 13:3-4
10. Humility Before God and Service Before Self:
True leadership is not about power, but about service. Mississippi needs a governor who fears God, seeks divine wisdom, and views leadership as a stewardship — not a throne.
"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible." — George Washington
"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake." —
II Corinthians 4:5
Dan Carr
