Michael Patrick Guest Bio
Michael Patrick Guest is an American attorney and Republican politician who has represented Mississippi’s 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives since 2019. Before entering Congress, he built a long career in Mississippi’s criminal justice system as both a prosecutor and a district attorney. He became ranking member of the United States House Committee on Ethics in August 2022 following the death of Jackie Walorski, and he was appointed chair of the committee when Republicans regained a House majority in the 118th Congress. Guest is also a member of Brandon Baptist Church, where he serves as a deacon and Sunday school teacher.
Early Life and Background
Michael Patrick Guest was born on February 4, 1970, in Woodbury, New Jersey. He later moved to Mississippi, where he completed his higher education. Guest earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Mississippi State University, giving him a strong foundation in finance and public policy before he turned to law.
He went on to attend the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor. His education in both accounting and law helped shape his later focus on ethics, accountability, and legal reform in public office. Guest has remained connected to his faith throughout his life, and he and his family are members of Brandon Baptist Church.
Path to US Politics
Guest began his legal career in 1994 when he was appointed Assistant District Attorney for Madison and Rankin counties, a role he held for fourteen years. During that time, he handled criminal cases and gained a reputation as a tough, principled prosecutor in central Mississippi. His work in local courts gave him a deep understanding of the justice system and the communities he would later serve in Congress.
In 2008, Guest was elected District Attorney, stepping up from his role as a prosecutor to lead the office. His years as District Attorney sharpened his interest in ethics and good governance, themes that would later define his work on the federal level. When longtime Representative Gregg Harper announced he would not seek reelection, Guest entered the race to represent Mississippi’s 3rd congressional district.
Michael Patrick Guest Career
Early Career (1994–2008)
From 1994 to 2008, Guest served as Assistant District Attorney for Madison and Rankin counties, handling a wide range of criminal cases. He developed a reputation for fairness and a steady commitment to the rule of law. His long tenure in this role gave him the experience needed to take the next step in his legal career.
In 2008, Guest was elected District Attorney, taking on leadership of the office where he had previously served. As District Attorney, he oversaw prosecutions and managed the office’s daily operations, further establishing himself as a prominent legal figure in central Mississippi. This role helped prepare him for the larger political stage that would follow.
Congressional Breakthrough (2018–2020)
Guest launched his campaign for the United States House of Representatives to succeed Gregg Harper in Mississippi’s 3rd congressional district. In a crowded six-way Republican primary, he received 45 percent of the vote, finishing first and forcing a runoff against Whit Hughes. Guest won the primary runoff and then defeated State Representative Michael Evans, the Democratic nominee, in the general election.
Throughout his first campaign, Guest positioned himself as a strong supporter of President Donald Trump. He was sworn into office in 2019 and quickly focused on issues related to criminal justice reform, ethics, and conservative values. In 2020, he was reelected with 64.7 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat Dort Benford and demonstrating strong support in his district.
House Ethics Leadership (2019–Present)
In August 2022, after the death of Representative Jackie Walorski, Guest was named ranking member of the House Committee on Ethics. He became chair of the committee when Republicans regained control of the House in the 118th Congress. In this role, he has been a leading voice on congressional ethics, accountability, and judicial matters.
Guest has taken an active role in several major congressional debates. In December 2020, he was one of 126 Republican members of the House to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a case contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, which the Supreme Court declined to hear. In May 2021, he was one of 35 Republicans who joined Democrats in voting to approve H.R. 3233, a bill to establish a bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol, though the measure was later blocked by a Senate filibuster. He also proposed the resolution that expelled George Santos from Congress.
Following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, Guest voted to support Israel. In 2024, he voted against a $60 billion military aid package for Ukraine, a position noted by The Washington Post because some of the funding would have supported defense jobs in his district. Guest has also been active on domestic policy, writing to the Department of Homeland Security in 2022 to demand action against attacks on crisis pregnancy centers following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Guest’s career came when he became chair of the House Ethics Committee, a position that allows him to shape the standards of conduct for members of Congress. His work in this role reflects his long-standing interest in transparency and accountability, which traces back to his years as a prosecutor and District Attorney in Mississippi.
Michael Patrick Guest Career Wins
Michael Patrick Guest has won multiple elections since entering Congress, beginning with his initial victory in 2018 and continuing with his 2020 reelection. His strong showings in both Republican primaries and general elections have made him a consistent voice for his district in Washington.
Congressional Election Highlights
Guest first won his seat in 2018 after navigating a competitive six-way Republican primary and a runoff before defeating the Democratic nominee in the general election. He was reelected in 2020 with 64.7 percent of the vote, a decisive margin that reflected his growing support across Mississippi’s 3rd congressional district.
Other Wins and Achievements
Beyond his electoral successes, Guest earned the role of ranking member of the House Ethics Committee in 2022 and later became its chair. His leadership on the committee, along with his work on issues such as ethics reform and national security, has been a defining achievement of his time in Congress.
Michael Patrick Guest Family
Family Background and Public Service
Michael Patrick Guest was born in Woodbury, New Jersey, before later settling in Mississippi, where he built his legal and political career. He and his family are members of Brandon Baptist Church, where he serves as a deacon and Sunday school teacher, reflecting the central role of faith in his public life.
Personal Life
Guest is married to Haley Kennedy. The couple has been part of the Mississippi community throughout his career in law and politics. His family has remained connected to his work in Congress, including during a 2021 review of stock trades by his wife’s family trust, which led to a $200 fine under the STOCK Act.