Republicans welcome new party members
Mar 25, 2025- The Mississippi Republican Party welcomed a wave of local elected officials who officially joined the GOP at a press conference today in Jackson. These public servants, representing counties and municipalities across Mississippi, previously served as Democrats or Independents but made the decision to realign with the Republican Party, citing the shift in priorities within the national Democrat Party and the need to reflect the conservative values of their communities.
The elected officials joining the Republican Party include:
- • Jim Neill, Carroll County Board of Supervisors
- • Ron Wood, Montgomery County Board of Supervisors
- • Brad Whittington, Attala County Board of Supervisors
- • Keith McGee, Montgomery County Board of Supervisors
- • Sam Bell, Attala County Coroner
- • Robert Ellis, Kosciusko Alderman
- • James Culpepper, Kosciusko Alderman
- • Mitchell Costilow, North Carrollton Alderman
- • Barbara Sheppard, North Carrollton Alderman
These leaders reflect a growing movement across Mississippi: when it comes to governance, politics is local, but Washington still matters. As the national Democrat Party continues to embrace extreme policies and leave behind working families, faith-based communities, and rural America, local leaders are making it clear, they no longer recognize the party they once called home.
Joining the Republican Party is not just symbolic. It sends a message: Mississippi communities want leadership that respects their values, puts families first, and stands for fiscal responsibility, public safety, and freedom. The Mississippi Republican Party is proud to welcome these officials as they continue to serve their constituents with principled, conservative leadership. The GOP remains the party of hardworking Mississippians, and this momentum is only growing.
