Special to the Item

My name is Stacey Hobgood Wilkes, and I am excited to announce my candidacy in the special election on July 25, 2017, for State Representative-District 108. I am a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in American Studies and a minor in Business Administration. With 17 years in the insurance industry, I hold an agent and adjuster’s license. In addition, I currently own a successful small business, Right Minded, LLC, a public relations consultancy.
My parents are David and Barbara Hobgood, who are both life-long residents of Pearl River County. I am married to Rodney Wilkes, a former Mississippi Highway Patrolman and State Farm Insurance Agent. My daughter, Caitlin Cruthird, is a recent accounting graduate of Mississippi State University.
I currently serve on the State Executive Committee of the Mississippi Republican Party and on the Pearl River County Republican Executive Committee. In addition, I am president of the Pearl River County Republican Women and had the privilege of serving as a delegate to the Mississippi State Republican Convention last year. I am fondly known by some as the “Mayor of Mississippi”.
Being an advocate for rural health, I serve on the Legislative Committee of the Mississippi Rural Health Association and on the Board of the Senior Center of South Pearl River County. As a business professional, I am a Rotarian, recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award, and past Rotary Club president. I am a life member of the Picayune Junior Auxiliary, a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA), and an active member of First Baptist Church of Picayune.
Pearl River County has always been home, and home is where my heart is. I hope to earn the honor to serve as your next Representative. I pledge to use my business experience and leadership skills to promote conservative values, advocate for small businesses, increase accountability and fiscal responsibility, and make our community an even better place to live and raise our families. I sincerely ask for your vote and support in the special election for District 108.