# Mike Chaney

Michael Jackson Chaney (born January 6, 1944) is the Commissioner of Insurance for the State of Mississippi since 2008. He served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1993 to 1999 and in the Mississippi State Senate from 2000 to 2008. Prior to his time in politics, he pursued business ventures in oil distribution, wood preservation, real estate, and other industries.

## Early life and education

Michael Chaney was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 6, 1944. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science in banking and finance. A businessman, Chaney founded an oil distribution business for convenience stores in Vicksburg in the 1970s, followed by ventures into the wood preservation business in Kemper County and real estate. He also pursued business interests in utility companies, farming, and communications companies.
He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War as a sergeant in the Mississippi Reserve from 1968 to 1969.

## Political career

State legislature
A Republican, Chaney served in the Mississippi House of Representatives for the 54th district from 1993 to 1999. He ran to replace Ed Buelow, who had been appointed to the Mississippi Tax Commission. At the time of his campaign, he was the chairman of the Warren County Republican Executive Committee and had served in economic leadership roles in the local area.
In 1999, he ran for election to the Mississippi State Senate for the 23rd district, facing off against Democrat Ken Harper, a former State Senator. During the campaign, he emphasized health care, taxation, education, law enforcement, and economic development issues. He won the election and served the district from 2000 to 2008. While in the senate, he served as chairman of the Education Committee and helped co-write the Mississippi Adequate Education Program. He took a role in reforming building code legislation and was appointed by Amy Tuck to the Mississippi State Flag Commission.
Insurance commissioner
In 2007, he ran for election to become the Mississippi Insurance Commissioner, where he faced off against primary candidate Ronnie English, and later Democratic Gary Anderson in the general election. During the election, he favored increasing competition among insurance companies and maintaining the elected status of the commissioner position. He was accused by Anderson for "cozying up to insurance companies," though Chaney rebuffed said claims. Chaney won the election 56.5% to 43.5%, becoming the first new commissioner since George Dale took office in 1976. Voter discontent towards insurance companies after Hurricane Katrina was considered to play a major role in his victory. Chaney also outraised Anderson significantly. He was sworn-in as insurance commissioner on January 10, 2008.
Chaney was re-elected in 2011 against Louis Fondren 62% to 34.7%. He ran unopposed in the general election in 2015. He was re-elected in 2019 against Robert Amos 61.3% to 38.7%. He was re-elected in 2023 against Bruce Burton 59.3% to 40.7%.

## Personal life

He is married to Mary Thurmond Chaney and has three children and eight grandchildren. He lives in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He is of Episcopal faith.

## Electoral history

Mississippi State Senate 23rd District Election, 2003 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Mike Chaney (inc.) | 9,745 | 56.92 |
| Democratic | Marcie Tanner Southerland | 7,377 | 43.08 |
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Republican Primary Election, 2007 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Mike Chaney | 136,887 | 78.90 |
| Republican | Ronnie English | 36,586 | 21.10 |
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Election, 2007 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Mike Chaney | 414,718 | 56.50 |
| Democratic | Gary Anderson | 319,287 | 43.50 |
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Election, 2011 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Mike Chaney (inc.) | 538,008 | 61.95 |
| Democratic | Louis Fondren | 301,185 | 34.68 |
| Reform | Barbara Dale Washer | 29,200 | 3.36 |
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Republican Primary Election, 2015 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Mike Chaney (inc.) | 194,792 | 72.56 |
| Republican | John Mosley | 73,657 | 27.44 |
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Election, 2015 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Mike Chaney (inc.) | 585,257 | 100.00 |