John A. Polk
John A. Polk | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Mississippi State Senate from the 44th district | |
| In office January 3, 2012 – January 6, 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Tom King |
| Succeeded by | Chris Johnson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Allen Polk March 18, 1949 Columbia, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Jan Barnett |
| Alma mater | University of Southern Mississippi |
| Occupation | Businessman, politician |
John Allen Polk (born March 18, 1949) is an American businessman and politician. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the Mississippi State Senator from the 44th district from 2012 until 2026. He retired following court-ordered redistricting.[1]
Early life
John A. Polk was born on March 18, 1949, in Columbia, Mississippi.[2] He was educated at the Prentiss High School in Prentiss, Mississippi.[2] He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1974.[3]
Career
Polk was an executive at Polk Meat Products, his family meat business.[3] Since 2012, he has served as a Republican member of the Mississippi State Senate, representing District 44.[2] In 2015, he proposed a bill for the repeal of annual vehicle inspections, arguing that cars are less dangerous now than they were when car stickers were introduced.[4]
Polk was honored as the 2011 Alumni of the Year by the College of Business at his alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi.[3]
Personal life
Polk is married to Jan Barnett.[2] They have a son, Brian Polk and a daughter, Julie Polk Breazeale.[2] They reside in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.[2] He is a Baptist.[2]
References
- ^ Harrison, Heather (April 8, 2025). "Republican Mississippi Senator Retires as District Lines Change". Mississippi Free Press. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g "John A. Polk". Mississippi State Senate. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Polk, Palazzo honored". Mississippi Business Journal. December 18, 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "Miss. Senate passes bill to eliminate inspection stickers". Mississippi Business Journal. February 11, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2016.