Political Icon Will Not Seek 12th Term
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Representative Tommy Reynolds’ commitment to public service is legendary as he enjoys supporting local activities, charities and causes across his district year after year. As a staunch supporter of veterans, he is a frequent speaker at Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances in Water Valley. He reported that when his term ends this year, he looks forward to even stronger involvement in local activities
WATER VALLEY – One of the longest-serving representatives in the State of Mississippi has announced that he will not seek reelection. District 33 Representative Tommy Reynolds of Water Valley reported he is looking forward to having more time to spend with his three grandchildren when his 11th term ends this year.
First elected in 1979 and taking office in 1980, Reynolds shares the distinction as the longest-serving state representative currently in office with District 103 Representative Percy Watson, who was elected the same year. Watson is seeking a 12th term this year.
“Speaker Walter Sillers served longer,” Reynolds added about longevity records, adding Sillers’ half-century tenure spanned from 1916 to 1966.
Reynolds has always received strong support from Yalobusha County voters during his time in office, never losing a precinct in the county during an election.
“I want to thank the people for their many, many years of support,” Reynolds shared Monday morning. “I am still going to be around and active, I want to do more at the local level.”
Reynolds also plans to remain active in his law practice.
“I have been practicing for 46 years and will continue as long as I can and there are no signs of slowing down,” he added. “I try to walk four miles every day.”
Hardly a lame duck in the last year of his last term, Reynolds has been busy during the 2023 Legislative Session sponsoring or co-sponsoring 16 bills so far. The bills range from creating mental health treatment courts to a phased-in expansion of early learning collaboratives for Pre-K.
Another bill on this list holds true to Reynolds’ decades-long commitment to rural fire protection in the state. If adopted, House Bill 753 would fund $3,240,000 for the Rural Fire Truck Acquisition Assistance Program for the upcoming fiscal year. Reynolds has worked for appropriations for over a dozen rounds of the Rural Fire Truck Acquisition Assistance Program. The program provides a matching grant, most recently up to $90,000, for counties to purchase fire trucks and has been strongly utilized in Yalobusha County.
Changes In District
Reynolds’ retirement comes after redistricting in 2022 moved District 33 to Harrison County on the Gulf Coast. The boundary lines for districts across the state typically change every decade after Census results are available to account for population shifts in the state. District 33, represented by Reynolds for much of his career, included all of Yalobusha County, a small portion of Lafayette and Grenada counties, and more than half of Tallahatchie County for the last decade.
Following redistricting, all of Yalobusha County was shifted to District 34 represented by Republican Kevin Horan.
Reynolds was instrumental in helping ensure that the entire county will remain in a single district and not be split among multiple districts during redistricting last year.
“I wanted to see the county remain in one district,” Reynolds explained. “I think we have a wonderful opportunity in Yalobusha County, the future looks bright.”
Horan is the only candidate who has qualified in District 34. He is seeking his fourth term as state representative. The deadline to qualify for state and county offices is Wednesday, Feb. 1.
