He won it unchallenged and faced incumbent Democrat Lieutenant Governor Brad Dye—who had survived a narrow primary—and black independent Henry J. Kirksey.

Briggs characterized Dye as beholden to "the tired, old, worn politic of the past" and denounced him for failing to pass reform legislation.

[4] The Mississippi constitution stipulated that a statewide race not won by outright majority was to be decided by a vote of the House.

Dye encouraged the House to affirm Briggs' victory on the basis that he earned a plurality of the votes.

Upon taking office, he declared that his priorities would be to secure term limits for state officials and institute a ballot initiative process.

[2] Briggs convinced the legislature to schedule a referendum to limit the lieutenant governor to two terms, which was successfully passed in November 1992.

Briggs refused to debate his opponent, and Musgrove accused him of hypocrisy for not releasing his tax returns when he had demanded the same of Dye four years prior.

[11][12] Upon leaving office, Briggs purchased a Ford car dealership in Canton and involved himself in timber and real estate ventures.