Robert Montgomery Dearing (January 26, 1935 – July 30, 2020) was an American politician, educator, and businessman who served in the Mississippi Senate as a member of the Democratic Party.

In the 1970s he became active in politics with unsuccessful campaigns for a seat on the Adams County Board of Supervisors.

[6] In 1971, Dearing ran for a seat on the Adams County Board of Supervisors from the 2nd district, but was defeated by A. Boyd Sojourner.

[15] In 1995, he defeated Charles Ravencraft in the Democratic primary and Republican nominee Erle Drane in the general election.

[16][17] In 1999, he defeated Scott Pintard in the Democratic primary and won reelection without opposition in the general election.

[20][21] During the 2011 elections Dearing started with no money in his campaign war chest as the $5,800 he raised during 2010 was spent by the end of that year.

[24] Sojourner claimed that there were illegalities and irregularities with the election and attempted to have the Mississippi Senate vote to seat her instead of Dearing.

[35] In 1997, Dearing was appointed to the Southern States Energy Board by Lieutenant Governor Ronnie Musgrove.

[36] During the 2008–2011 session of the Mississippi Senate, he served on the Economic Development, Finance, Highways and Transportation, Insurance, Public Health and Welfare, Oil, Gas and Other Minerals, and Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks committees.

[1] In 1980, Dearing was one of four state senators, including Ed Ellington, Wayne Burkes, and Howard Dyer, to receive a 100% rating from the League of Women Voters.

[51][52] On March 20, Governor Ray Mabus signed the legislation into law and riverboat gambling became legal in Mississippi on April 1.

[53][54] In 1987, Dearing co-sponsored a resolution asking for the United States Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to allow prayer in schools.