Kirk Fordice

Daniel Kirkwood "Kirk" Fordice Jr. (/fɔːrdaɪs/; February 10, 1934 – September 7, 2004) was an American politician and businessman who served as the 61st governor of Mississippi from 1992 to 2000. A member of the Republican Party, he was the state's first governor elected to two consecutive four-year terms (following a 1987 amendment to the state constitution). He was the first Republican governor to serve in Mississippi since Adelbert Ames, who resigned in 1876. A staunch conservative, Fordice ran on a pro-business, anti-crime, low-tax, "family values" platform. Fordice's tenure was marked by an extramarital affair, which led to his divorce from his wife of forty-four years, Pat Fordice. Fordice first ran for governor in 1991, defeating Democratic incumbent Ray Mabus with nearly 51% of the vote, and was decisively reelected in 1995. He was term limited in 1999, and was succeeded by Ronnie Musgrove. Daniel Kirkwood Fordice Jr. was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on February 10, 1934. He studied civil engineering at Purdue University, earning a bachelor's degree and a master's in 1956 and 1957, respectively. After graduation he served with the United States Army for two years.