Cindy Hyde-Smith, a native of Brookhaven, Mississippi, was elected to the State Senate in 1999 and currently serves Lawrence, Lincoln, and Simpson counties in District 39. She is a proud Republican who has been a champion for the farmers and ranchers of Mississippi throughout her entire career. Hyde-Smith authored countless pieces of legislation that has set policy and regulations benefiting agriculture in this State.

Hyde-Smith is well known throughout the state for her passionate defense of private property rights and for promoting and protecting all facets of agriculture. She is also a staunch supporter of Right to Farm legislation. She has turned down other legislative appointments to remain as Chair of the Agriculture Committee because that is where her passion lies. Hyde-Smith’s legislative experience coupled with her background in agriculture makes her a logical choice for Commissioner of Agriculture.

Hyde-Smith and her husband Mike are the parents of Anna-Michael, the family’s fifth generation farmer. They raise beef cattle and are partners in Lincoln County Livestock, the local stockyard auction market in Brookhaven, which has held the live cattle auction every Tuesday since 1942.

Hyde-Smith was born in Brookhaven, Mississippi to Luther and Lorraine Hyde. She graduated from Copiah-Lincoln Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi. She and her family are active members of Macedonia Baptist Church.