In an interview with Magnolia Tribune, Buffington said he chose to run for State Auditor because Mississippians deserve an independent leader who brings real-world financial experience to the table, not political ambition.
For over 30 years, Phil Bufffington advised community banks, businesses, and organizations across Mississippi on complex financial transactions, risk management, and governance. Now, he wants to be the Magnolia State’s next State Auditor.
Buffington recently announced his bid for the statewide office, running for what will be an open seat in the 2027 election cycle.
Current State Auditor Shad White (R) does not plan to seek re-election, instead presumably running for governor. White has said an announcement on his political future will come after the November midterm election.
Buffington enters the race with two other Republicans who have already stepped into the ring for the Auditor’s post – State Senator Daniel Sparks and former State Rep. Nick Bain. None of the contenders have run a statewide campaign and will need to endear themselves to voters ahead of the GOP Primary next year.
Notably, Bain has picked up an early endorsement from former Governor Phil Bryant (R).
No Democrats have announced a run for State Auditor as of yet.
In an interview with Magnolia Tribune, Buffington said he chose to run for State Auditor because Mississippians deserve an independent leader who brings real-world financial experience to the table, not political ambition.
“Over my career leading teams of financial legal experts, I’ve dealt directly with complex financial systems, internal controls, and regulatory compliance. I’ve helped clients uncover fraud, recover stolen funds, and establish strict policies so the same wrongdoing never happens again,” Buffington said. “I am not looking to use this office as a stepping stone to higher political office. I want to use my 40-year career in financial law to protect taxpayer dollars, stop fraud before it happens, and ensure our state government is efficient, transparent, and accountable on Day One.”
About Buffington
Buffington has been active in Republican politics, particularly in central Mississippi where he advises financial institutions throughout the U.S. on federal and state banking laws and regulations as a partner with Balch and Bingham LLP.
“As an executive managing partner in law firms, I’ve managed large teams of attorneys and overseen significant budgets,” he said. “My practice has focused heavily on corporate governance, financial investigation, regulatory compliance, and fraud recovery.”
Buffington said when money went missing or was misused, his clients relied on him to lead thorough, independent investigations, follow the facts wherever they led, and recover those funds.
“Equally important, I helped those organizations put stronger internal controls and policies in place so fraud couldn’t happen a second time,” he added.
He believes that private-sector mindset “based on proactive prevention, rigorous financial oversight, and strict internal controls” is what the State Auditor’s office needs to protect taxpayer dollars.
Buffington is a graduate of the University of Mississippi and the Mississippi College School of Law. He has been a member of the Mississippi Bar since 1984. Among his many community and state affiliations, Buffington has served on the Mississippi Republican Party State Executive Committee, Central Mississippi Planning and Development District, Mississippi Economic Council, and University of Mississippi Banking and Finance Board, to name a few.
Three-man Field, For Now
Running a statewide campaign requires significant fundraising and coordination. For candidates without statewide name ID, it can be even more of a challenge.
None of the candidates to announce for State Auditor so far have run for office statewide.
Buffington has no campaign finance records showing with the Mississippi Secretary of State as this is his first foray into such a race.
His opponents, Sparks and Bain, do have campaign finance reports listed as of January of this year. Sparks’ legislative account reported $101,000 at the end of 2025 while the Friends of Nick Bain reported $240,000.
Buffington believes he will be able to compete and raise the necessary funds to effectively get his message out to voters.
“We have received an overwhelmingly positive reception from conservative business leaders, community leaders, and grass-roots supporters across Mississippi who want a financial expert and protector of taxpayer money in the Auditor’s office,” he said. “People are excited to invest in a campaign that focuses on fraud prevention, accountability, and government efficiency. Our fundraising momentum is strong, and we are fully committed and on track to run a robust, well-financed statewide campaign that delivers our message to every corner of the state.”
The initial response to his running for Auditor has been “incredibly humbling and enthusiastic,” Buffington said.
“Everywhere I go – from speaking engagements with civic groups and Republican clubs to conversations with local business owners – Mississippians tell me they want an experienced financial professional, not a career politician, serving as State Auditor,” he said. “People appreciate our core message: that preventing fraud upfront saves millions in tax dollars compared to chasing money after it’s gone.”
A Broader Lens
Buffington said what sets him from the field is his specific, executive-level background in financial legal practice and governance.
“I require zero on-the-job training,” he said, confidently. “While others may bring political experience, I bring 40 years of hands-on private sector experience handling complex financial transactions, conducting internal investigations, enforcing compliance, and establishing fraud prevention measures.”
Buffington said he views the State Auditor’s office through a broader lens, in a way that will benefit MIssissippi taxpayers.
“A traditional audit tells you if money was spent legally, which is vital,” he continued. “But I believe taxpayers deserve to know: Did the expenditure solve the problem it was intended to solve? Was there a more efficient way to achieve the result? My combination of private-sector executive leadership, deep financial law expertise, and commitment to prevention, rather than just reaction, is unique in this race.”
Buffington said he does not believe his being a first-time candidate as a challenge.
“I view it as my greatest asset,” he said. “Voters are tired of career politicians who spend their time climbing the political ladder. I am a private-sector conservative leader who has spent my life raising a family with my wife, Sarah, building a law practice, and giving back through my church, civic groups, and local boards.”
Through his decades of service with community banks, youth sports, the Mississippi Bar Association, economic development boards, and charitable organizations, Buffington said he has built strong relationships across every region of Mississippi.
“Running for office gives me an opportunity to take those years of executive financial experience and community leadership and put them to work directly for the taxpayers,” he noted.
A Firm Foundation
Buffington called his family his foundation.
“I couldn’t do this without their total support and encouragement,” he said.
He said his wife, their three children and their spouses, and their five grandchildren are fully onboard.
“They are actively involved in the campaign, traveling with me across the state, meeting voters, and keeping me grounded throughout this journey,” Buffington said.
Knowing that his family stands firmly behind him gives Buffington “immense strength” and reinforces why he is running – “to ensure Mississippi remains a strong, honest, and prosperous state for our children, grandchildren and all citizens.”
Conservative Values
Buffington has been a staple in Republican politics in Central Mississippi for decades. He is frequently seen at GOP events, executive committee meetings, fundraisers, and around the state Capitol.
He said his Republican principles are rooted in faith, family, hard work, and good stewardship.
“I am a staunch fiscal conservative who believes the government must live within its means, just like Mississippi families and small businesses do,” Buffington said.
In the State Auditor’s office, he said it is those conservative values that he will put to work for Mississippians. Buffington said those values translate into treating every tax dollar with respect and accountability.
“It means prioritizing Fraud Prevention so we stop wasteful spending before it occurs, driving Government Efficiency so taxpayers get the highest return on their dollar, promoting total Transparency so citizens know where their money goes, and demanding strict Accountability for anyone who misuses public funds,” he said.
Core Commitments
If elected, Buffington plans to center his priorities as State Auditor around six core commitments he will make to Mississippi taxpayers.
Thoe commitments are to prevent fraud, demand accountability, promote transparency, drive efficiency, strengthen cybersecurity, and protect the public trust.
Buffington wants to shift the Auditor’s office toward proactive fraud prevention by building strong internal controls into public fund management to stop theft before it happens. To do this, he plans to conduct rigorous, independent investigations “that go wherever the evidence leads, holding everyone accountable across the board.”
When presenting his office’s work, Buffington said he will provide clear, accessible answers about what public expenditures actually accomplished, not just whether they met the legal minimums. Along the way, he commits to identifying wasteful governmental processes and recommend legislative and other reforms focused on cost-effective solutions to get better results for taxpayers.
Buffington also wants to work with state and local communities to protect public financial infrastructure and data against modern threats, something Mississippi state agencies have increasingly had to contend with in recent months.
In addition, Buffington said he would run the Auditor’s office with a team-first mindset focused on professionalism and independence, rather than politics.
Qualifying for the 2027 election cycle opens on January 4, 2027. All 8 Mississippi statewide offices, 174 legislative seats, and 6 regional commission seats, along with county level and other offices, will be on the ballot next November.
-- Article credit to Frank Corder for the Magnolia Tribune --
