Kirk Fordice
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Claims to fame: First Republican Governor of Mississippi since 1874; “pro-business redneck” (as described by one Republican strategist); Confederate flag waver; big-time Clinton-basher; adulterer
The mystery: Suffered serious injuries in 1996 when he flipped his Jeep Cherokee on a trip from Memphis, Tenn., to Jackson, Miss. Refused to discuss the circumstances of the accident with anyone. Swore he had amnesia; that was his story, and he was sticking to it.
The truth: He was in Memphis for a clandestine rendezvous with a woman he wasn’t married to. (Wife Pat was in France at the time.) Everybody knew he was shacking up with some broad long before his road wreck; the accident just pushed the issue out into the open.
Result: Wife Pat told press Kirk had been fixing up a home for himself and his new girlfriend, but that there would be no divorce — at least not until after he finished his second term as governor, three years hence. (In truth, Pat didn’t want a divorce at all; “I will proudly continue serving as First Lady unless forced from the position,” she said.) Kirk finally spoke up, too; first he said the Fordices were working to “strengthen” their marriage — and then one-eightyed, apparently wanting to get the divorce (& remarriage) over with.
Height of hypocrisy: Was a major critic of President Clinton for the Lewinsky affair.
Last stand: In final State of the State address, compared Mississippi state legislature to former Soviet Union. Audience sat in stone silence.
Fun fact: Wanted to bring chain gangs back to Mississippi, and turn the state into the “capital of capital punishment.” (White rural Christian voters loved him for this.)
Memorable observation:
“We had to rein him in. He was throwing dirt at Clinton, but the wind was pushing it right back in his face.”
— Unnamed Republican quoted in the Washington Post
Suggested Bible reading for Mr. Fordice:
The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth his face.
— Job 24:15
