State Rep. Lynn Wright of Columbus dies at 69
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Jun. 17—JACKSON — State Rep. Lynn Wright, a Republican lawmaker from Columbus, died on Friday morning. He was 69.
State Sen. Chuck Younger of Columbus told the Daily Journal that Wright had Lou Gehrig's disease.
"He was such a good guy, and people really liked him," Younger said.
Skelton Funeral Home in Reform, Alabama, is in charge of the arrangements.
House Speaker Philip Gunn in a statement said that even though Wright's service to the state was cut short, he accomplished many things for people he represented in the Legislature.
"He indelibly made his mark on his state and all those he served with in the Mississippi House," Gunn said. "My prayers are with his family, his friends, and his community. Lynn will be greatly missed."
Wright was a native of Columbus, according to his public Facebook page, and worked for over 40 years as an educator, coach and administrator. He served as superintendent of Lowndes County School District for eight years.
Wright was first elected to the Legislature in 2020 after winning a special election to fill the seat vacated by Gary Chism's retirement.
Now that the seat is vacant again, Gov. Tate Reeves will have 30 days to set the date for a special election to be held.
Reeves in a Tweet on Friday evening said that Wright would be "fondly remembered and setting a special election for the seat would now be his "first order of business."
The winner of the race will serve out the rest of Wright's term, which ends in 2023. The district covers portions of Clay, Lowndes and Oktibbeha counties.
