Former State Representative Tommy Horne of Meridian died last night. He was 72 years old. Details of his death have not been made available.

The former representative for District 81, which included Lauderdale and Clarke Counties, was once one of the most powerful men in the Mississippi Legislature. He chaired the powerful House Rules Committee until his retirement in 2003. He was also a member of the PEER, Local and Private, Judiciary, and Ways and Means Committees.

State Senator Videt Carmichael of Meridian said his knowledge of how the Legislature worked was unparalleled. "He was a great leader, a mentor to me in a lot of respects, gave me a lot in my early beginnings, what I should do and shouldn't do," said Carmichael.

Horne's son, Steve, took his place in the Legislature, and has served there since 2004.

Arrangements for Horne are incomplete at this time.