In my second hour of The Clay Edwards Show, I sat down with Philip Gunn, former Mississippi House Speaker and the first Republican in that role in 136 years, serving from 2012 to 2024. Broadcasting from the Men’s Health & Women’s Wellness Studios in Flora, Mississippi, I aimed to show the real Philip. He shared the gut-wrenching story of losing his parents and sister to a drunk driver 37 years ago when he was 25, a tragedy that deepened his faith and reshaped his priorities. Philip reflected on his improbable rise from a minority representative in a Democrat-controlled House to Speaker, elected by his peers after Republicans flipped 13 seats in 2011. We discussed Mississippi’s political shift, driven by Democrats’ leftward drift, and his legislative wins, like education reform and the state’s largest tax cut. I laughed hearing how he outsmarted Democratic delay tactics by cranking up a bill-reading machine to warp speed, dodging a constitutional quirk from 1894. Philip, ever humble, hinted at future public service if guided by faith. I wrapped up grateful for his authenticity and for treating me like family since my early days, reminding my listeners why he’s a leader we’d be lucky to have back.