Ryan Brown (Mississippi)
Ryan Brown (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Mississippi Public Service Commission to represent Central District. Brown lost in the Democratic primary on August 6, 2019.
Brown completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Brown earned his B.A. in political science from the University of Mississippi in 2006 and a Master of Public Policy and Administration from Jackson State University in 2015. His professional experience includes serving deputy Public Service Commissioner from January 2, 2016, until March 1, 2019.[1]
Elections
2019
See also: Mississippi Public Service Commission election, 2019
General election
General election for Mississippi Public Service Commission Central District
Brent Bailey defeated De'Keither Stamps in the general election for Mississippi Public Service Commission Central District on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Brent Bailey (R)  | 50.3 | 146,596 |
 | De'Keither Stamps (D) | 49.7 | 144,574 | |
| Total votes: 291,170 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary runoff election
Democratic primary runoff for Mississippi Public Service Commission Central District
De'Keither Stamps defeated Dorothy Benford in the Democratic primary runoff for Mississippi Public Service Commission Central District on August 27, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | De'Keither Stamps | 58.8 | 38,314 |
| Dorothy Benford | 41.2 | 26,864 | ||
| Total votes: 65,178 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Mississippi Public Service Commission Central District
De'Keither Stamps and Dorothy Benford advanced to a runoff. They defeated Ryan Brown and Bruce Burton in the Democratic primary for Mississippi Public Service Commission Central District on August 6, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | De'Keither Stamps | 39.5 | 42,967 |
| ✔ | Dorothy Benford | 33.7 | 36,641 | |
 | Ryan Brown | 15.6 | 16,989 | |
 | Bruce Burton | 11.2 | 12,157 | |
| Total votes: 108,754 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Mississippi Public Service Commission Central District
Brent Bailey defeated Nic Lott in the Republican primary for Mississippi Public Service Commission Central District on August 6, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Brent Bailey | 74.4 | 73,726 |
 | Nic Lott | 25.6 | 25,363 | |
| Total votes: 99,089 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Ryan Brown completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Brown's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
cell phone and internet service expansion infrastructure investments utility grid modernization
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Equitable utility service for low-income customers
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Accessibility and honesty. I have made myself available to nearly 650 different types of community meetings during my time at the Public Service Commission. When asked questions, I answer them honestly.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I am the most experienced candidate in this campaign. I built relationships with government, community, and faith leaders across the district to help build a communications network to help serve communities across my district.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Being able to weigh the expectations and the needs of the utility companies. While we need our utility companies healthy, I will not let them get wealthy in a state where we have too many that live in poverty.
What legacy would you like to leave?
A safer and more reliable utility grid. Greater cell phone and internet service across the state.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My first job was bagging groceries at a local supermarket. I held that position for a little over one year.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Thanksgiving because it's near my birthday so it's a good reason to eat turkey and cake.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My back yard overlooks a lot of wooded area, and it's relaxing to hear the wind blow through the trees and hear the bird chirp.
What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government?
The Public Service Commission touches everyone in the state. Since we regulate light and gas companies, the Commission is uniquely suited to make a difference in the lives of all Mississippians.
What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?
Responding to the people I would represent. When the phone rings, it needs to be answered. When an email comes in, it must be responded to. Mississippians expect their public servants to answer when they call.
Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?
Yes, the Mississippi Public Service Commission regulates the state's No Call list to help reduce telemarketing calls. Too many people are being ripped off by those breaking our laws, and it is our office that must innovate new ideas to help combat this problem.
Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?
Yes, public utilities are incredibly complex organizations that require stability in order to operate effectively. I believe I bring that experience to the table.
What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?
As the only candidate in this campaign who has had any experience working for the Public Service Commission, I believe I am the most qualified candidate who can get to work on day one for Mississippians.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Ballotpedia biographical submission form
The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:
| “ | What is your political philosophy?
I am running for this office because Mississippians deserve a Public Service Commissioner who will continue fighting for us. I served as Deputy Public Service Commissioner for over three years, and I am ready to step into the role ready to work on day one. Is there anything you would like to add? I am the only candidate in the race who has worked at the Public Service Commission. I am the only candidate in the race who was at the decision-making table when the Public Service Commission saved Mississippi ratepayers over $6 billion. I led the effort to help improve cell phone and internet service across central Mississippi. I am the only candidate in the race who saved the taxpayers thousands of dollars by helping our public schools save money on their utility bills. I am the only candidate in the race who worked with our state's universities and colleges to build career pipelines to help our young people find jobs right here in Mississippi. I am the only candidate in the race who worked with law enforcement to put these annoying telemarketers out of business.[2] |
” |
| —Ryan Brown[1] | ||
See also
2019 Elections
External links
Footnotes
