State Sen. Giles Ward announces he will not seek reelection in 2015

State Sen. Giles Ward announced today at the Neshoba County Fair that he will not seek reelection to Mississippi Senate in 2015.

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RELEASE;

Mississippi Senate News Release

Senator Giles K. Ward

Mississippi Senate District 18

Leake, Neshoba and Winston Counties

July 30, 2014

For Immediate Release

(Neshoba County Fair, MS) – Speaking to several hundred constituents and guests attending the 125th Neshoba County Fair, State Senator Giles Ward (R-Louisville) announced this morning his decision not to seek re-election to the Senate in next year’s statewide elections. Ward made his announcement from the pavilion in Founder’s Square at the fairgrounds and described the historic venue as “the ‘mother church’ of Mississippi politics.” Ward, 66, was first elected to the Senate in 2007 after having served five terms as a member of the Louisville Board of Alderman. He was appointed by Lt. Governor Tate Reeves in 2012 to serve as chairman of the Senate Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committee.

In his first term, then Lt. Governor Phil Bryant appointed Ward to serve as chairman of the Senate Forestry Committee. In the current term Lt. Governor Reeves also appointed Ward to serve as vice-chairman of the Senate’s Energy Committee and its Forestry Committee. He also appointed Ward to serve as a member of the Agriculture, Business and Financial Institutions, Environmental Protection, Finance, Highways and Transportation, Judiciary “B” and Executive Contingent Fund committees. Reeves also tapped Ward to serve on the Executive Committee of our nation’s Energy Council and the NCSL Nuclear Legislative Workgroup. A strong advocate of second amendment rights, Ward was recognized by the National Rifle Association in 2013 with its coveted “Defender of Freedom” award.

Ward told the audience that serving in the Mississippi Senate from District 18 is the greatest honor of his life, noting that only nine other individuals have served in that capacity during his lifetime. He and his wife, Kay, live in Louisville. Prior to being elected to the Senate, Senator Ward worked 33 years as a regional manager with Georgia-Pacific Corporation. Ward will return to retirement when his current term ends in January of 2016.

7/30/14