Barbour was born in Mississippi in 1947. He attended the University of Mississippi, but dropped out his senior year to help Richard Nixon’s campaign. Barbour earned a J.D. from the University of Mississippi Law School in 1972. Barbour has held a variety of roles in politics including working on campaigns, serving as a political aid, running a lobbying firm and serving as Chairmen of the Republican National Committee. Barbour won the Mississippi Gubernatorial election in 2003 and re- election in 2007. He will serve as Governor of Mississippi until 2011, completing the max terms allowed under Mississippi law.