| Dean Kirby | |
| Office: | President pro tempore of the Mississippi State Senate |
| Term Start: | January 7, 2020 |
| Predecessor: | Gray Tollison |
| State Senate2: | Mississippi State |
| District2: | 30th |
| Term Start2: | January 7, 1992 |
| Preceded2: | Barbara Blanton |
| Birth Place: | Lake City, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Party: | Republican |
| Spouse: | Jean Latham |
| Education: | Mississippi College La Salle University (BS) |
Murrel Dean Kirby (born November 21, 1946) is an American politician. He serves as a Republican member of the Mississippi State Senate, where he represents District 30 (Rankin County, Mississippi). He has served in the Mississippi senate since 1992.[1] He has served as President pro tempore of the State Senate since 2020.[2]
Dean Kirby was born November 21, 1946 in Lake City, Arkansas.[3] He graduated from Peal High School and went to Mississippi College to play basketball. He later enrolled in La Salle University and graduated with a B.A. in 1969.[4]
Kirby opened Dean Kirby Insurance Agency in 1979 and ran the agency till his retirement in 2016.
He is a member of the Homebuilders Association, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL), and National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). He is also on the Board of Directors for the Southern Pine Electric Power Association.
Kirby has represented District 30 in the Mississippi State Senate since 1992, which is located in Rankin County. He was elected President pro tempore of the State Senate in 2020 and was reelected to the position in 2024. In this position, Kirby helps run day-to-day operations of the chamber, presides in the absence of the lieutenant governor, and serves as the chair of the Rules Committee.[5] [6]
He is married to Jean Latham and is of Baptist faith. He has 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
Kirby is a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason.