Foreign Interests
We started this project in 2024 after another disappointing legislative session. The same politicians pinching pennies on healthcare for Mississippians also voted to expand the Israel Support Act and send up to $50 million to Israel. We wanted to know why that money wasn’t going to Medicaid, housing, or education for the people in Mississippi. Which private interests were fighting against us, and which politicians were taking the bait?
The research on this page is an answer to the question: When Mississippi invests more in foreign wars than local needs, who is responsible? Below, you’ll see how military contractors, corporate interests, and a national network of ultra-conservative think tanks tied to the billionaire-funded policy group ALEC (the American Legislative Exchange Council) have purchased the political will of Mississippi’s elected representatives. You’ll see a record of their donations, their lunch meetings and happy hours, and the lineage between greased palms and the corrupted legislation that followed.
We hope you find this tool useful, share it widely, and continue to visit as we grow towards a more just Mississippi.
Public Players
Here we spotlight 40 Mississippi politicians–all six congresspeople and 34 state leaders. The state-level leaders are those who stand out for their links to ALEC, its affiliated think-tanks, military contractors, or for their sponsorship of pro-Israel bills. These individuals are simply a starting point to dig deeper into all of our electeds.
Gov. Tate Reeves
Current Governor of Mississippi; son of Terry Reeves, founder of Climate Masters, Inc.
Tate Reeves is the current Governor of Mississippi. His father, Terry Reeves, is an influential Mississippi businessman who founded Climate Masters, Inc., a multi-million-dollar ventilation and air conditioning company.
Rep. Shane Aguirre (R-17)
House Rep. since 2016; co-sponsored pro-Israel bills; ALEC member since 2018.
A member of the House of Representatives since 2016, Aguirre co-sponsored two aggressively pro-Israel bills: one urging the federal government to relocate the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, and another in 2024 extending the repeal date of the 2019 anti-BDS bill. Aguirre joined ALEC in 2018 and frequently meets with lobbyists from the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, Panola Partnership, Jackson County Economic Development Foundation, Koch Government Affairs, and ALEC-affiliated groups, namely Empower MS and the MS Center for Public Policy.
Rep. Lee Yancey (R-74)
Former senator; state rep. since 2020; ALEC state chair; sponsored Israel bond bill.
Yancey was a member of the Mississippi Senate from 2008–12 and became a state representative in 2020. As a senator, he co-sponsored SC653, a resolution recognizing the “special friendship” between Mississippi and Israel. In 2024, he sponsored a bill to remove the limit on the maximum amount of investments made by the state in bonds issued by Israel. Yancey joined ALEC in 2019 and is currently a state chair. He has received campaign donations from Northrop Grumman, the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, Koch Industries, and Empower PAC, among other pro-Israel groups.
Rep. Jerry R. Turner (R-18)
House Rep. since 2004; co-sponsored multiple Israel-related bills; ALEC member since 2016.
Turner has been a member of the House since 2004 and has co-sponsored multiple bills in support of Israel. In 2013, he co-sponsored HC1, a resolution commending Israel’s mutually beneficial relationship with Mississippi. In 2015, he co-sponsored the Iran Divestment Act, arguing that Iran represented a threat to Israel and the U.S. In 2017, he co-sponsored a resolution urging the federal government to relocate the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. According to the Center for Media and Democracy, Turner joined ALEC in 2016 and, since then, has met regularly with the MS Center for Public Policy and Koch Industries lobbyists.
Rep. Becky Currie (R-92)
House Rep. since 2008; ALEC Mississippi state chair in 2023; member since at least 2018.
Currie has been a House representative since 2008. She co-sponsored one pro-Israel bill in 2013 and has received financing from Koch Industries and Baker Donelson. Currie stands out for being ALEC’s Mississippi state chair in 2023 and for being a member of the organization since at least 2018.
Sen. Chris Johnson (R-45)
Mississippi senator since 2020; joined ALEC in 2020; currently ALEC state chair.
Johnson has been a senator in Mississippi since 2020. He has not sponsored any pro-Israel bills, but he joined ALEC the same year he became a senator and is currently ALEC’s state chair.
Rep. Mark Tullos (R-79)
House Rep. since 2016; ALEC member since 2016; co-sponsored HC12 in 2017.
Tullos has been a House Representative since 2016 and a known member of ALEC since 2016. Tullos also co-sponsored HC12 in 2017, urging the President to relocate the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. His lobbying and campaign finance reports show frequent meetings with Koch Industries lobbyists, Empower MS, and the MS Center for Public Policy.
Sen. Scott DeLano (R-50)
Senator since 2020; State Rep. 2010–19; ALEC member since 2018.
As representative, DeLano co-sponsored HR1 in 2013 and has been a member of ALEC since 2018. DeLano has received large corporate contributions from Chevron, Koch Industries, General Motors, and the Mississippi Manufacturers Association; additionally, he has met with lobbyists from Bollinger Shipyards, MCPP, Panola Partnership, Empower Mississippi, the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation, and the Koch-affiliated advocacy group Americans for Prosperity.
Sen. Rita Potts Parks (R-4)
Senator since 2012; ALEC member since 2018; co-sponsored pro-Israel resolution in 2013.
A state senator since 2012, Potts Parks has been an ALEC member since at least 2018 and co-sponsored a Senate resolution commending Israel for its beneficial relationship with Mississippi in 2013. She frequently meets with lobbyists and receives donations from the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, Chevron, and Caterpillar; she has also met with lobbyists from the MS Center for Public Policy and was a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 2536, a trans sports ban promoted by the conservative think tank.
Rep. Steve Massengill (R-13)
State Rep. since 2012; co-sponsored HR1 (2013) and HR resolution (2017).
Massengill has been a state representative since 2012 and co-sponsored two pro-Israel bills: HR1 in 2013 and a House resolution in 2017 urging the President to relocate the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. He has no known ties to ALEC, but meets frequently with lobbyists from Koch Industries and industry chambers such as the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation and Panola Partnership.
Rep. Bill Pigott (R-99)
House member since 2008; ALEC member since 2018; co-sponsored HR1 (2013).
Pigott has been a House member since 2008 and co-sponsored HR1 in 2013 along with a larger group of legislators. He has been a member of ALEC since at least 2018 and frequently meets with ALEC-affiliated organizations such as the MS Center for Public Policy and Empower Mississippi.
Rep. John Read (R-112)
State Rep. since 1993; ALEC member since 2018; co-sponsored HR1 (2013).
Read has been a state representative since 1993 and a member of ALEC since 2018. He co-sponsored HR1 in 2013. His campaigns have been financed by Empower Mississippi, Chevron, Koch Industries, Huntington Ingalls, the MMA, and Jerry St. Pé. Lobbying forms show relationships with military contractors such as VT Halter Marine, a subsidiary of Bollinger Shipyards, and industry chambers, as well as Koch Industries and the ALEC-affiliated MS Center for Public Policy.
Sen. Dean Kirby (R-30)
Senator since 1992; ALEC member; co-sponsored Israel 75th in 2023.
Kirby has been a state senator since 1992. In 2023, he co-sponsored a concurrent resolution celebrating Israel’s 75th anniversary of independence. A member of ALEC, he attended ALEC’s 2019 annual meeting and State Night Dinner. He has received campaign donations from Chevron, Baker Donelson, and Koch Industries; he frequently meets lobbyists from the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, Chevron, and Panola Partnership.
Rep. Randy Rushing (R-78)
House Rep. since 2012; ALEC member; co-sponsored HR1 (2013).
Since joining the House in 2012, Rushing has been a member of ALEC and co-sponsored HR1 in 2013. He met with Empower MS and MS Center for Public Policy lobbyists frequently from 2012–17 and attends Koch Industries Republican caucuses. He has also received significant donations from military contractor Raytheon, now RTX.
Sen. Dennis DeBar Jr. (R-43)
State Rep. 2012–15; Senator since 2016; ALEC member since 2018.
DeBar was a state representative from 2012–15 and has been a state senator since 2016. As representative, he co-sponsored HR1 in 2013; as senator, he joined ALEC in 2018. He frequently receives campaign contributions from ALEC-affiliated Empower MS and Koch Industries.
Rep. Rodney Hall (R-20)
House Rep. since 2024; former National Guard infantry officer.
Elected in 2024, Hall is a former National Guard infantry officer with tours in the Middle East. His campaigns received contributions from Barry Dreyfus, US Marine President, Huntington Ingalls, BGR Group, and BSS Global; Empower Mississippi gave over $5,000 in 2023. He won ALEC’s “50 Under 50” leadership award in 2023.
Rep. Brent Powell (R-59)
House Rep. since 2013; co-sponsored HR1 (2013).
Powell has been a House member since 2013 and co-sponsored HR1 in 2013. He attended ALEC’s “State Night Dinner” in 2019 and meets regularly with MS Center for Public Policy lobbyists.
Rep. C. Scott Bounds (R-44)
State Rep. since 2004; co-sponsored HR1 (2013).
Bounds has served since 2004 and co-sponsored HR1 in 2013. He attended ALEC’s Mississippi State Night Dinner and had expenses reimbursed for the 2020 Annual Conference. He regularly meets Koch Industries lobbyists at Republican events and is a frequent recipient of their donations.
Rep. Dan Eubanks (R-25)
State Rep. since 2016; ALEC member since 2016.
Eubanks has served as a state representative and ALEC member since 2016. He received over $38,000 from Empower Mississippi—more than any other legislator—and meets frequently with lobbyists from Empower MS, MS Center for Public Policy, Koch Industries, and the Mississippi Manufacturers Association.
Rep. Joey Hood (R-35)
House Rep. since 2012; ALEC member since 2018; co-sponsored HR1 (2013).
Hood has been in the House since 2012 and an ALEC member since 2018. He co-sponsored HR1 in 2013. His campaigns were funded by the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, Koch Industries, Empower MS, Chevron, and Huntington Ingalls. In 2021, he met with lobbyists from Bryant Songy Snell.
Rep. Ken Morgan (R-100)
State Rep. since 2007; co-sponsored HR1 (2013); ALEC member since 2016.
Morgan has served since 2007, co-sponsored HR1 in 2013, and has been an ALEC member since 2016. He meets frequently with Koch Industries lobbyists.
Rep. Randy P. Boyd (R-19)
State Rep. since 2012; ALEC member since 2018; co-sponsored HR1 (2013).
Boyd has served since 2012, co-sponsored HR1 in 2013, and has been an ALEC member since 2018. He regularly meets with lobbyists from the MS Center for Public Policy and Koch Industries.
Sen. David Parker (R-2)
Senator since 2013; co-sponsored SC562 (2013).
Parker has been a state senator since 2013, co-sponsoring SC562 commending Israel’s relationship with Mississippi. Though his ALEC membership is unclear, he has attended ALEC events and meets with lobbyists from the MS Center for Public Policy, Empower MS, arms manufacturers, and Koch-affiliated groups.
Rep. Price Wallace (R-77)
House Rep. since 2018; ALEC member since 2019.
Wallace has served since 2018 and joined ALEC in 2019, attending annual meetings and policy summits. He frequently meets with Koch Industries lobbyists at Republican events.
Sen. Brice Wiggins (R-52)
Senator since 2012; no direct ALEC link.
Wiggins has been a state senator since 2012. Though he has no direct ALEC membership, he has met with MS Center for Public Policy lobbyists twice and received large donations from arms manufacturers and companies with indirect Israel interests—Huntington Ingalls, the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, and Chevron. His close industry ties likely stem from his spouse’s work at a defense company acquired by Huntington Ingalls.
Private Players
Below is a list of organizations with an active interest in promoting relations between Mississippi and Israel. Notice that the more active and pro-Israel an organization, the stronger its ties to ALEC
Military Contractors
Other military contractors with their own PAC through which they conduct intensive direct lobbying in Mississippi (not mediated through industry chambers) include Huntington Ingalls and its subsidiary Ingalls Shipbuilding; Bollinger Shipyards and its subsidiary VT Halter Marine; and, to a lesser extent, United States Marine, Inc.
These companies supply military equipment from Mississippi to Israel directly: in August 2023, Bollinger Shipyards delivered two landing craft vessels to the Israeli Navy, funded by the U.S. Government under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program after a contract signed between the Israeli Ministry of Defense and VT Halter Marine. The delivery ceremony took place at the company’s Pascagoula shipyard in Mississippi with the presence of Israeli Naval Base Commander Tal Politis.
Huntington Ingalls has historically manufactured Israel’s Sa’ar 5-class corvettes in Pascagoula; in June 2024, the Israeli Defense Forces’ Navy received a new landing ship also built by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula. According to the Jewish Virtual Library, United States Marine, Inc., headquartered in Gulfport, Mississippi, has been one of the companies that has benefited from more than $750,000 in FMF to provide material for the IDF.
- Yusuf Cetiner, “Israeli Navy Receives the INS Nahshon Landing Craft From The US,” Overt Defense, 14 August 2023, overtdefense.com/2023/08/14/israeli-navy-receives-the-ins-nahshon-landing-craft-from-the-us
- Transportation Research Board, “First Israeli Sa’ar 5 Corvette Launched at Ingalls,” trid.trb.org/View/443958
- “Strategic IDF Navy ship ‘Komemiyut’ arrives in Israel,” The News of Israel, newsofisrael.com/israel/2024-06-19/idf-navys-new-landing-ship-komemiyut-arrives-in-haifa
- Jewish Virtual Library, “State-to-State Cooperation: Mississippi and Israel,” jewishvirtuallibrary.org/mississippi-israel-cooperation
Business Interests
Less direct interests in promoting pro-Israel legislation stem from corporations with a business interest in Israel and activities in Mississippi. These include, primarily, defense contractors such as Airbus, Huntington Ingalls, RTX, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, as well as corporations such as General Motors and Chevron.
As seen above, most of these corporations influence legislators by lobbying and making campaign contributions through industry chambers. This makes it difficult to track the involvement and interest of specific companies in this type of legislation, especially considering that many of them are more reliant on federal contracts and legislation and therefore most invested in federal lobbying. However, there may be an active interest in legislation sanctioning the BDS movement at the state level.
Pro-Israel Bills
This chart catalogs pro-Israel bills introduced in Mississippi Capitol since 2008. The sponsors named in bold are those with ties to ALEC. Search these politicians in the maps above and consider how their policy choices may have been influenced by campaign financiers and lobbyists.
HB768
SB2226
Date: 2024
Sponsors: Josh Harkins, Robin Robinson, Kathy Chism, Joey Fillingane, Jeremy England, Angela Burks Hills, Jennifer Branning, Michael McLendon, Tyler McCaughn
Status: Signed by Governor
ReadHB1212
SC571
Date: 2023
Sponsors: Dean Kirby, Juan Barnett, Jeremy England, Hilman Frazier, Tyler McCaughn
Status: Adopted
ReadHC53
HB761
Date: 2019
Sponsors: Donnie Bell, Greg Snowden, Henry Zuber, William Arnold, Larry Byrd, Thomas Reynolds, Patricia Willis
Status: Signed by Governor
ReadSB2051
HB747
Date: 2018
Sponsors: Henry Zuber, Greg Snowden, Jeffrey Smith, Lester Carpenter
Status: Died in committee
ReadHB837
HB651
SB2467
SB2807
SC562
Date: 2013
Sponsors: Terry Brown, Angela Burks Hill, William Longwitz, David Parker, Rita Potts Parks, Nancy Adams Collins, Phillip Gandy, Kelvin Butler, Derrick Simmons, Eugene Clarke, Michael Watson, Videt Carmichael, Sampson Jackson, Terry Burton, Sally Doty, Robert Jackson, Chris Massey
Status: Adopted
ReadHR1
Date: 2013
Sponsors: Gary Chism, Manly Barton, Randy Boyd, Lester Carpenter, Scott DeLano, Mark Formby, Bobby Howell…
Status: Adopted
ReadAmendment to SC562
HB1127
SC653
Date: 2008
Sponsors: Ezell Lee, Billy Hewes, Joey Fillingane, Merle Flowers, Nolan Mettetal, Doug Davis, Videt Carmichael, Eugene Clarke, Thomas King, Tommy Moffatt, Lee Yancey, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Terry Burton, Bob Dearing, Hillman Terome Frazier
Status: Adopted
ReadHC12
Date: 2017
Sponsors: Donnie Bell, Lester Carpenter, Rob Roberson, Jerry Turner, William Arnold, Mark Formby, Greg Snowden, Shane Aguirre, Andy Gipson, Jody Steverson, Nick Bain, Steve Massengill, Mark Tullos
Status: Died in committee
ReadTake Action
The research above is a basis to map power and strategize towards a more democratic Mississippi. Below are ideas of how organizers, community leaders, and everyday Mississippians can translate the knowledge on this webpage into power for you and your people.
Talk to your neighbors.
Activism starts at the interpersonal level. Talk to your neighbors, family members, local shopkeepers and business owners about LobbyWatch MS. Did you learn anything new about the people who represent you? Did any of the information here surprise you? Outrage you? Share those thoughts and feelings with people in your network and consider what changes you want to see as a community.
Express public opinion.
Find out how your state or federal politicians receive public comment and express your concerns to them directly. Most politicians have a contact form, email address, or phone number on their official websites. Check their social media pages for future events where you could voice your concerns to them in person, too.
Boycott and divest.
Use the research above to create a power map for your area. Which individuals and/or companies influence political decision-making against the will of the people, and how are they financially vulnerable to the will of consumers? Identify key targets (an energy franchise, a local politician’s real estate business, etc.), rally your neighbors, and announce a public boycott until your community’s needs are met.
Vote (or, better yet, run for office).
Look up the next time your electeds are on the ballot. If they have a record of putting profits over people, show up to the polls and vote them out. If there’s an alternative candidate with a convincing commitment to represent the people of your district, campaign for that person and help them win. If there isn’t, consider running yourself.
Contribute to this database.
If you notice something missing on this webpage, have a well-sourced correction, or want to drop us a tip, let us know. Your message will be kept anonymous and confidential.