Prior to entering politics, he worked for his family's business as a managing partner.

[2] He graduated from Southern Methodist University and moved to California to work in film production.

[3] While in law school, he worked for Justice Jess Dickinson at the Mississippi Supreme Court.

[9] He spent heavily in the primary against state senator Eugene Clarke, loaning himself $1.7 million.

[4] He defeated Clarke in the primary and won the general election in November with 61% of the vote against Democrat Addie Lee Green.