Free Republic

Fordice earned his chapter in state's history Republican governor was his own man who shook up the status quo A segment of Mississippi history died Tuesday. Former Mississippi Gov. Kirk Fordice died after a short bout with leukemia. His passing is also the passing of an era in Mississippi politics, which was marked by progress, hardball politics and a no-nonsense approach to the affairs of state government. Fordice was elected the first Republican governor of Mississippi in 116 years and served eight years from 1992 to 2000. Then he was the only governor to be re-elected. Fordice was another of...

Fordice refused 'politician' label The Vicksburg Post A mere 15 or so years ago, Daniel Kirkwood Fordice had no use for politicians. He was an engineer. He was a government contractor. He liked big-game hunting, riding his horse and flying his airplane. All that changed during trips to Washington, D.C. Fordice had risen through the ranks to become president of Associated General Contractors, and had been getting his belly full testifying before Congress on employer-related matters. A visit with the first President Bush was part of that experience, and it dawned on Fordice that he might actually be able to...

Hundreds pay respects to Fordice at state capitol September 10, 2004 Daily Journal By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS The Associated Press JACKSON - Some of the same Highway Patrolmen who guarded Kirk Fordice as governor carried his coffin into the Capitol on Thursday before a public visitation. "He was a good boss. Direct," recalled Maj. Benjamin Young, who served five years on the security detail. Young paused and smiled. "He let you do your job. He also praised us when we did well." Fordice's family, led by his ex-wife Pat, followed the casket and watched as it was set up on...

I'm not sure if this has been posted here on the FreeRepublic yet, but the former Republican Governor of Mississippi, Kirk Fordice, has passed away. I wish I had more details on the cause of death and his tenure, but you can find more info at the Clarion Ledger's website, which is www.clarionledger.com. He was the first Republican Governor in the state in something like a hundred years, which is odd since Mississippi is such a Republican voting state in National elections. He was a spirited politician, a self made business man, and will be missed. Just thought this was...

Former Mississippi Governor Fordice Dies Mississippi's first Republican governor in 200 years. Dead from leukemia. Served as governor from 1996-2000. http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-obit-fordice,0,1004241.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines

<p>Hometown: Monroeville, Ala.</p> <p>Marsha Barbour joined her husband in the spotlight sometimes reluctantly after he started an emotionally and physically trying campaign that led to the defeat of Gov. Ronnie Musgrove.</p> <p>Marsha Barbour, wife of Gov.-elect Haley Barbour, will be first lady in a state whose current governor has been divorced for two years. She has alluded to ideological differences with her husband but won't elaborate on what they are.</p>

<p>Is former Gov. Kirk Fordice's second divorce worthy of the media circus it produced?</p> <p>Nope.</p> <p>Newsworthy? Marginally. Fordice is a public figure and people remain interested in his life story. To that extent, the story was newsworthy.</p> <p>Did we need to see that?</p>