Meet Larry

Born the son of a Union factory worker and a certified nurse assistant who would be led together by fate. Clarence Bradford, who married Mary McGhee, and John Dortch, who married Mary Etta Van Pelt, lived in a small, tight-knit community in Panola County. They would head north to Arkansas after serving their country in World War 2 only to come home and find the levee broken and their homes underwater. It was from my grandparents that I learned the value of family, community, hard work, and love. Growing up my mother, in the absence of my father, worked tirelessly working two jobs daily to ensure my siblings and I had everything we needed.This was only possible with the help of government assistance. While growing up I didn’t realize we were poor until school began. I was often lacking adequate school supplies but I was blessed to have had a teacher who would go into her own pocket for those less fortunate. This is something we still see today in our school systems with teachers. That’s not right, and it’s the result of priorities and choices made in Jackson. I’m running to be your next Auditor to ensure we use our public resources effectively and fairly so that every person and every family can have an opportunity to thrive and succeed.

 
I am a highly adaptable and strategic leader, who's equally successful in small, large, distressed, and stable businesses throughout corporate America. I am well within the ability to define and translate strategy into action, which has earned me a reputation and an invitation to Marquis Times Magazine's 100 most influential leaders in America. Executive colleagues identify me as an exceptional problem solver, highly capable of synthesizing complex business, financial and people issues—a true “right-hand” man. I’ve consistently delivered strong results over a 23-year fiscal, lending, investment, management, and leadership career. I have been repeatedly called upon to restore For-Profits as well as Non -Profits navigating in both the public and private sectors to restore financial integrity and economic sustainability to profit margins while identifying new opportunities of influence as well as growth. 

I have an innate sense of financial acumen, leadership, and unshakable faith. As the Chief Financial Officer of Apostolic Connection International (Little Rock, AR, 2012 Term), I was obligated to reinvent the organization's structure so that personnel could adequately pass on vital information regarding essential matters. I managed and directed financial portfolios of over 580 million dollars, provided oversight of 150 staff members, reporting, planning, feasibility studies, preformas implementing financial controls, contract negotiations, and ensuring the proper checks and balances were adhered to. Notably, I negotiated and managed partnerships with outside vendors. Many initiatives led me to promote the use of technology and fostered a good relationship with board members and membership. Upon entering the position of Mayor in Anguilla, Mississippi, I inherited a complete abuse of financial control and backed up audit logs. I vowed to my constituents then that I would address and move toward a resolve to restore the town’s financial reputation, and I did just that. 
As your 43rd State Auditor, I will confront, troubleshoot and problem-solve complex financial problems, build grassroots coalitions, and stand up for our most important priorities. I have a vision for the office that will secure a brighter future for you, your family, and the entire state of Mississippi.