Senator Rita Parks

Rita Potts Parks, born on December 18, 1962, in Corinth, Mississippi, is a dedicated public servant and a member of the Republican Party. She represents the 4th district in the Mississippi State Senate, a position she has held since January 3, 2012.

Education: Parks’ educational journey began at Alcorn Central High School. She then attended Northeast Mississippi Community College, graduating with an Associate of Science in Biology in 1982. She furthered her education at the University of Mississippi, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Biological Sciences in 1985. In 1987, she entered State Technical Institute, where she earned an Associate of Science in Industrial Engineering in 1989.

Career: Parks’ political career took off when she ran for election for Mississippi Senate District 4 in 2011. She ran unopposed in the Republican primary and won the general election by a narrow margin, earning 50.7% of the vote. Her district includes parts of Alcorn County and Tippah County. She was re-elected in the general election on November 7, 2023.

Committee Assignments: Throughout her tenure, Parks has served on several committees. For the 2024 session, she chairs the Local and Private committee and is the vice-chair for the Highways and Transportation committee. She is also a member of Appropriations, Business and Financial Institutions, County Affairs, Energy, Investigate State Offices, Medicaid, and Public Health and Welfare committees.

Political Positions: Parks voted for changing the Mississippi state flag in 2020.

Personal Life: Parks is a member of the National Rifle Association, the Kiwanis service club, the American Society for Quality, and the Parenteral Drug Association. She is married and has one daughter. She is a Baptist.