Chaney to seek sixth term as Mississippi insurance commissioner

Mike Chaney confirmed to Magnolia Tribune on Tuesday that he plans to seek a sixth four-year term as Mississippi insurance commissioner, the paper reported. Chaney, 82, is the longest-serving insurance commissioner in the United States, according to Magnolia Tribune.

Chaney was first elected to the statewide office in 2007 after 15 years in the Legislature, Magnolia Tribune reported. He also serves as state fire marshal and is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam. Magnolia Tribune noted that Mississippi has had only two insurance commissioners in the past 50-plus years, including Democrat George Dale, who served 32 years before retiring in 2007.

Chaney has been re-elected every four years, winning by wide margins in recent contests, Magnolia Tribune reported: nearly 20 percentage points in 2023, 23 points in 2019 and 28 points in 2011. He was unopposed in the 2015 general election. The longtime commissioner reported $197,000 cash on hand in his campaign account at the end of 2025, Magnolia Tribune said.

Chaney told Magnolia Tribune he hosted a “great fundraiser” this week in Jackson and called it a strong start for his 2027 campaign. He also said he will not appear this year at the Neshoba County Fair because he will be out of town representing the state at a conference and that fair organizers were unable to accommodate his schedule, the paper reported.

State Sen. Walter Michel, chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee, has been rumored as a possible challenger but has not announced intentions for 2027, Magnolia Tribune reported. The paper added that no Democrat has yet emerged as a potential candidate. Ahead of the 2025 legislative session, Chaney proposed converting the elected post to an appointed six-year term, a proposal lawmakers balked at, Magnolia Tribune reported. Chaney told fairgoers in summer 2025 that he was eyeing another run following that episode, the paper said.

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