Shanda M. Yates (born March 29, 1982) is an American politician, representing the 64th district in the Mississippi House of Representatives since 2020. She is an Independent.
Shanda Yates | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from the 64th district | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Denny |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Shanda M. Yates March 29, 1982 Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Independent (since 2022) Democratic (until 2022) |
| Children | 1 |
| Residence(s) | Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Hinds Community College (AA) University of Southern Mississippi, (BA) Mississippi College School of Law, (JD) |
| Occupation | Politician, attorney |
Early life and education
editYates was born on March 29, 1982, in Jackson, Mississippi.[1] She graduated from Hinds Community College in 2001 with an associate degree and then enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi, graduating with honors and a bachelor's degree in English.[1][2] She received her Juris Doctor from the Mississippi College School of Law in 2007, where she also served as an editor for the Mississippi College Law Review.[2][3] She was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 2007.[4]
Career
editYates practices as a partner with her husband as an attorney.[3]
In February 2019, Mississippi Democratic House Minority Leader David Baria asked Yates if she wished to run against Bill Denny in the Mississippi House, a 32-year house incumbent of the 64th district and House Republican Floor Leader.[5][6] She decided to run after initial reluctance, and over the months that followed, Yates and her campaign knocked on around 10,000 doors.[5] Her campaign received assistance from national organizations like California-based Sister District, an organization that targets GOP-held seats.[5] She proceeded through the Democratic Primary unopposed and, in the general election, won against Denny by 168 votes, a 51%–49% margin.[6][7] She assumed office on January 7, 2020.[7]
As of 2021, she serves on the following committees: Compilation, Revision and Publication; Corrections; Insurance; Judiciary B; Judiciary En Banc; and Transportation.[1] Since 2020, she has served as Deputy Chair for the Mississippi House Democrat caucus leadership.[8]
In January 2022, she left the Democratic Party and became an Independent.[9]
Political positions
editYate's top priorities when running for election were increasing school funding and addressing infrastructure problems.[10]
In 2020, Yates voted yes on the bill to change the Mississippi State Flag.[11]
Personal life
editYates is married to Yancy Burns, and they have one child.[1][10] She and her husband are Methodist.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Shanda Yates". billstatus.ls.state.ms.us. Mississippi House of Representatives. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
- ^ a b "Shanda M. Yates | Burns & Associates, PLLC | Jackson, Mississippi". Burns & Associates, PLLC. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
- ^ a b "About Shanda". yatesforhouse64.com. Committee to Elect Shanda Yates. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "The Mississippi Bar :: Lawyer Directory". www.msbar.org. The Mississippi Bar. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ a b c Pittman, Ashton (November 27, 2019). "A New Dynamic: Shanda Yates' Surprise Victory". Jackson Free Press. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
- ^ a b Pittman, Ashton (November 18, 2019). "It's Official: Dem Shanda Yates Ousts 32-Year Republican in Mississippi House". Jackson Free Press. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
- ^ a b "Shanda Yates". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
- ^ Corder, Frank (January 28, 2020). "MS House Democrats announce Caucus Leadership". Y'all Politics. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
- ^ Warren, Anthony (January 14, 2022). "North Jackson lawmaker gives up party affiliation third year into her first term". www.wlbt.com. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- ^ a b "Candidate Questionnaire: Shanda Yates (House District 64)". Jackson Free Press. July 23, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
- ^ Bologna, Giacomo; Ramseth, Luke (June 28, 2020). "How every Mississippi lawmaker voted on historic state flag bill". Clarion Ledger. Retrieved March 14, 2021.