The Gulf Coast Business Council (GCBC) is a private sector-led organization comprised of members of top-level business, economic, and policy thought leaders from Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson County. The GCBC is a united voice for effective public policy and strategic advancement of Coastal Mississippi’s economic development and quality of life for its residents. The GCBC Political Action Committee was established in 2023. The purpose of the GCBC PAC is to make contributions and/or endorsements to candidates for public office, regardless of political affiliation, who demonstrate support for pro-business and pro-tourism issues, initiatives, policies, and laws.
The GCBC Board determined they would endorse incumbents who had shown support of policies favorable to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Economy. Endorsements were issued throughout the election cycle with initial endorsements made prior to primaries and final endorsements made prior to election day. Open seats did not receive endorsements during the primary cycle, but they were made for the general election. In May, GBCB hosted Lt. Governor Hosemann for a members’ reception that provided opportunities for him to interact with his gulf coast constituents and GCBC members to hear his position on key issues that affect the Mississippi Gulf Coast and its economy.
Delbert Hosemann: Our First Endorsement
In May, GCBC hosted Lt. Governor Hosemann for a members’ reception at the Gulf & Ship Island Building in Gulfport to provide him an opportunity to interact with Gulf Coast constituents and give GCBC members a chance to learn his stance on key issues.
More than 100 members attended the reception, and the GCBC PAC Board later endorsed Lt. Governor Hosemann prior to the August 8, 2023 Republican Primary.
GCBC PAC Endorses Tate Reeves for Governor
On October 11, 2023, the GCBC PAC held a press conference in Biloxi to announce the PAC’s endorsement of Governor Tate Reeves in his reelection bid.
Not long after that announcement, the GCBC PAC announced primary endorsements for additional statewide offices, state Senate and House races and county supervisor races in Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties.
“Through the GCBC PAC, we recognize our endorsed candidates’ leadership and commitment to promote economic development and ensure Coastal Mississippi continues to be a destination where people want to live, work, and visit,” said Jamie M. Miller, president and CEO of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Business Council.
GCBC PAC 2023 State Senate Endorsements
- SD 46: Philip Moran
- SD 47: Mike Seymour
- SD 48: Mike Thompson
- SD 49: Joel Carter
- SD 50: Scott Delano
- SD 51: Jeremy England
- SD 52: Bryce Wiggins
GCBC PAC 2023 State House Endorsements
- HD 93: Tommy Ladner
- HD 95: Jay McKnight
- HD 109: Manly Barton
- HD 112: John Read
- HD 113: Hank Zuber
- HD 114: Jeffery Guice
- HD 116: Casey Eure
- HD 117: Kevin Felsher
- HD 118: Greg Haney
- HD 119: Jeffery Hullum
- HD 120: Richard Bennet
- HD 121: Carolyn Crawford
- HD 122: Brent Anderson
GCBC PAC 2023 Board of Supervisors Endorsements
- Hancock County District 1: Teresa Ryan
- Hancock County District 2: Greg Shaw
- Hancock County District 3: (Open Seat)
- Hancock County District 4: Scotty Adam
- Hancock County District 5: Darrin “Bo” Ladner
- Harrison County District 1: Beverly Martin
- Harrison County District 2: Rebecca Powers
- Harrison County District 3: Marlin Ladner
- Harrison County District 4: Kent Jones
- Harrison County District 5: Open Seat
- Jackson County District 1: Barry Cumbest
- Jackson County District 2: Ennit Morris
- Jackson County District 3: Ken Taylor
- Jackson County District 4: Troy Ross
- Jackson County District 5: Randy Bosarge
GCBC PAC 2023 Statewide Office Endorsements
- Governor: Tate Reeves
- Lt. Governor: Delbert Hosemann
- Treasurer: David McRae
- Auditor: Shad White
- Secretary of State: Michael Watson
- Attorney General: Lynn Fitch
- Commissioner of AG & Commerce: Andy Gipson
- Insurance Commissioner: Mike Chaney
- Public Service Commissioner: Dane Maxwell
- Transportation Commissioner Southern District: Charles Busby
*Open seats did not receive endorsements during the primary cycle, but they were made for the general election.
About Gulf Coast Business Council
The Gulf Coast Business Council (GCBC) is a private sector-led organization comprised of members of top-level business, economic, and policy thought leaders from Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson County. The GCBC is a united voice for effective public policy and strategic advancement of Coastal Mississippi’s economic development and quality of life for its residents. Join the Gulf Coast Business Council to become a part of the solution.
