Michael McLendon

Michael McLendon (born November 14, 1963) is an American politician and insurance producer who has served in the Mississippi State Senate from the 1st district since 2020.

Born in Dallas, McLendon moved to and studied in Tennessee. After graduating from Memphis State University, he worked as an insurance agent for Farm Bureau Insurance before joining a Memphis-based firm as an insurance producer. He was elected to the Hernando City Council in 2013 and served in that position until his election to the Mississippi State Senate in 2019, when he narrowly ousted incumbent Chris Massey. He faced a competitive primary in 2025 but won by wide margins. While in office, he passed legislation that banned the teaching of critical race theory.

Early life and education McLendon was born on November 14, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. While a student at Memphis State, he worked as an assistant golf professional at a golf course.

Career McLendon worked as an insurance agent for Farm Bureau Insurance of Mississippi for 19 years in a Hernando-based office. He later joined Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance in mid-2013, working in their Memphis office as an insurance producer. He saw sworn into office by Bobby Chamberlin in July 2013. McLendon came second in the primary but won the runoff election against Massey. He ran uncontested during his re-election in 2023. He announced his re-election for the seat in June 2025. Stevenson was endorsed by multiple mayors in the district and was well-funded.