This announcement ends years of speculation that he would seek the 2003 Democratic nomination for governor, but lends further thought that he may seek a Senate seat in 2006 or 2008. This will give Moore time to earn money in private practice, while he can still maintain his statewide presence with his connections to the American Legion Boys and Girls State, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, mentoring programs, and the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi. Some have suggested that Senator Trent Lott will not seek reelection in 2006 - Senior Senator Thad Cochran will be serving out what is anticipated to be his final term ending in 2008.

The Magnolia Report Rumormill 2003 Page lists the following Democrat names for this year's Attorney General's Race:

Marshall Bennett (Tchula) - Currently serving his fourth term as State Treasurer, Bennett came on the state political scene in 1987 following his work as a Legislative Assistant to Governor William Winter and Assistant Attorney General. Bennett was considered the lead Democrat to replace Moore as he contemplated vacating the office in 1999. As a statewide elected official, he maintains political capital for such a race though some suggest he plans to run for reelection in hopes of a shot at Lieutenant Governor in 2007. An open statewide seat, were Bennett to run for attorney general, would make things interesting for both parties.

Michael Callahan (Hattiesburg) - Winning his first term as Southern District Public Service Commissioner in 1999, Callahan demonstrated a strong fundraising prowess and defeated the sitting Fordice appointed commissioner with 60.9% of the vote. Callahan's entrance into the race would open up his seat to competition. Callahan would also be a potential candidate for Treasure if Bennett vacates that seat.

Randy "Bubba" Pierce (Leakesville) - Both a CPA and an attorney, Pierce was elected to his first term in the House of Representatives from Leakesville in 1999, defeating an incumbent in the primary. Mentioned by many as a possible challenger to Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck in the 2003 primary, he has now received the backing of prominent lawyers for a possible run for attorney general.

Jim Roberts (Pontotoc) - A former Justice on the Mississippi Supreme Court, Roberts resigned from the bench to challenge Ronnie Musgrove for the Democratic Nomination for Governor in 1999; he earned 26.1% to Musgrove's 56.7%. A former Mississippi Commissioner of Public Safety and Chancery Judge, Roberts has contacts statewide in the courts and law enforcement to add to his base in North Mississippi.

Morgan Shands (Bay St. Louis) - With experience as Assistant Attorney General and Executive Director of the Mississippi Democratic Party, Shands' name has circulated as a potential candidate for this office, or for the Southern PSC were Callahan to run for AG. Shands is the Executive Director of the Mississippi Boy's State Program with the American Legion.

The Magnolia Report Rumormill 2003 Page lists the following Republican names for this year's Attorney General's Race:

Mark Garriga (Ridgeland) - Garriga was the 1999 Republican nominee against Moore and earned 36.4% of the vote. An attorney for Butler Snow in the Health Litigation division, Garriga previously served in the House of Representatives from Harrison County. He was running for the State Supreme Court against Justice Chuck McRae before becoming Governor Kirk Fordice's chief-of-staff in 1994. His run in 1999 makes him a must on the short list.

Delbert Hosemann (Jackson) - Hosemann was the 1998 Republican nominee against Ronnie Shows for the open MS-4 Congressional District and earned 44.9% of the vote after clearing a tough five-man Republican Primary. An attorney with Phelps Dunbar, Hosemann has served as Finance Director for the Mississippi Republican Party, on the Board of Leadership Jackson and Chairman of Mississippi Blood Services. Hosemann is considered one of two current front-runners for the GOP nomination and has reportedly been making calls for support.

Charlie Ross (Brandon) - Ross has Represented Rankin County in the state Legislature since 1997, first in the House and now in the Senate. An attorney, he is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Air Force Association. He served in the Air Force from 1978-1985, and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserve. While Ross has not been pursuing this campaign yet actively, his position in the Senate and his base in the Republican strong hold of Rankin County makes him a contender if he decides to jump into the race.

Andy Taggart (Flora) - After recently leaving Butler Snow, Taggart is an attorney in private practice with experience in political consulting, campaigning, government affairs and lobbying. He was a major player in Kirk Fordice's campaigns for governor and served as his chief of staff for the first two years of his administration. Taggart was one of the initial talk hosts of SuperTalk-Mississippi hosting "Power Lunch" to discuss issues from a conservative position. Taggart is the other of the two current front-runners for the GOP nomination, working behind the scenes to put together financial and political support for this campaign.