Steve Holland

Daniel Stephen Holland (born November 5, 1955) is an American politician who was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1985 to 2020, representing the 16th district. He was also a contender for the Democratic nomination in 2008 Mississippi's 1st congressional district special election, but he lost the primary runoff to Travis Childers.

Family, education, and career Steve Holland was born on November 5, 1955. His father was a farmer and his mother, Sadie Holland, was active in local politics.

While serving as the elected county judge, his mother was targeted in the 2013 ricin letters incident, but she was unharmed. James Everett Dutschke pled guilty to sending the ricin letters.

Mississippi House Early in his career, Holland helped pass legislation supporting organ donations in Mississippi.

James Everett Dutschke, who later targeted Holland's mother in the 2013 ricin letters incident, unsuccessfully ran against Holland in 2007.

In 2012, Holland submitted a Bill to the Mississippi Legislature to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico—for all official uses within the state—to the "Gulf of America". This bill is a reflection of Holland's sense of humor, and is his way of criticizing the priorities of the Republicans in the House. However, President Donald Trump did rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" in U.S. federal usage 13 years later.

Career end In March 2017, Holland announced that his doctors had diagnosed him with dementia, and that he would not seek re-election at the end of his term in 2019. However, in 2019 Holland announced that he would seek his 10th term for the State Legislature as an Independent. He was defeated by Democratic candidate Rickey W. Thompson.

Holland's switch in party affiliation was speculated to be an attempt at avoiding a defeat to Thompson in the Democratic primaries, with the Daily Journal noting that Holland had "outspokenly identified as liberal" and, if victorious as an Independent, would have nonetheless been "certain to caucus with Democrats."

Filmography + YearTitleRole 2024 The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga Himself