In 1991 , Kirk Fordice became the first Republican to win the governorship since the end of Reconstruction . In 1995 , Fordice became the first governor to be reelected to a second term since the adoption of the 1890 constitution . Democrat Ronnie Musgrove won a close election over U.S. Congressman Mike Parker to become governor in 1999 . Musgrove 's term was marked by increased concerns over the state budget and a failed referendum on redesigning the state flag which Musgrove had supported . In 2003 , Republican Haley Barbour defeated Musgrove in his bid for reelection . Barbour 's governorship was dominated by recovery efforts for Hurricane Katrina and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill , the state 's largest disasters since the 1927 Mississippi River floods
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Government of Mississippi