Charles Delbert Hosemann Jr. (born June 30, 1947) is an American politician and attorney who has been the lieutenant governor of Mississippi since January 2020.

[4] He received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1969 from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.

After college, he joined the United States Army Reserve, enlisting in August 1969 for a six-year commitment; he served eight.

[4] In 1973, he joined the law firm Magruder, Montgomery, Brocato and Hosemann, working in the mergers and acquisitions practice.

[1] Afterwards, he became a partner at Phelps Dunbar LLP,[1] specializing in business and tax law, until his election into office.

[7] Upon the resignation of U.S. Representative Jon Hinson from Mississippi's 4th congressional district in 1981, Hosemann, who was at the time a political unknown, considered running for the seat in the special election.

[12] Hosemann came first in the primary and later won in the runoff election despite criticisms of being a "closet liberal" for donating to Democratic Mississippi governor Ray Mabus in 1987.

[15] Hosemann was considered a strong candidate: he had a financial advantage, early advertising, and running during the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal.

[21] He campaigned on voter ID laws, better election administration, and fair management of public lands.

[23][24] In the primary election in August, he received 56% of the vote, besting former mayor of Columbus Jeffrey Rupp and State Representative Mike Lott of Petal.

[27] He easily won the Republican primary against a Gulfport city council member,[28] who ran because of Hosemann's attempt to put harbor control under his office.

[6] After Shelby County v. Holder in 2013, Mississippi was allowed to change its voting laws without preclearance from the Department of Justice.

Following the decision, Hosemann quickly worked to implement regulations for voter ID after a 2011 vote to amend the state constitution passed, as it no longer needed DOJ preclearance.

The oversight was identified and reported to Hosemann in 2013, who quickly submitted the appropriate documentation, making Mississippi the final state to ratify the amendment.

[46][47] In the general election, Hosemann defeated Democrat Mississippi House Representative Jay Hughes 60% to 40%.

[51][52][53] Hosemann's campaign focused on cutting taxes, improving government efficiency, adding more prosecutors to judicial districts, funding infrastructure projects, increasing education resources, and building regionalized healthcare networks; he also touted his "conservative values.

[25] Hosemann faced Democratic opponent and political newcomer Ryan Grover in the general election and won 61% to 39%.