State Senator Juan Barnett (D)
- “Throughout his tenure, he has been a dedicated public servant and a respected member of the Mississippi Senate, particularly through his work on corrections matters,” Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann said of Barnett.
State Senator Juan Barnett (D) submitted his resignation from the Mississippi Senate on Monday.
The announcement of Barnett’s resignation was made by Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann (R), the presiding officer in the Mississippi Senate.
“Senator Barnett has faithfully served the constituents of District 34 since 2016,” Hosemann said. “Throughout his tenure, he has been a dedicated public servant and a respected member of the Mississippi Senate, particularly through his work on corrections matters.”
Hosemann thanked Senator Barnett for his years of service to the State of Mississippi and wished him a happy and well-deserved retirement.
The Senator has faced health challenges this year, missing much of the 2026 session after suffering a stroke in February.
Barnett served as the Mayor of Heidelberg from 2001-2016 before being elected to the Mississippi Senate. He worked as a digital technician with AT&T.
When Hosemann became Lt. Governor, he appointed Barnett to lead the Senate Corrections Committee, a position the Heidelberg native has used to help improve the Mississippi Department of Corrections. He was also instrumental is a variety of prison reforms during this tenure.
Barnett has also served as Vice Chair of the Senate Enrolled Bills Committee as well as a member of other Senate Committees to include Appropriations, County Affairs, Energy, Judiciary A, Judiciary B, Public Health and Welfare, and Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
A special election will be called by Governor Tate Reeves (R) in the near future. Voters in District 34, which encompasses parts of Forrest, Jasper and Jones counties, will elect a replacement for Barnett to serve the remainder of his term which ends in January 2028.
