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White
Wins Special Both candidates ran hard for the three weeks from the day the Senate voted to order a new election until Election Day. Each employed different strategies. The election validated White’s plan, which leaned heavily on the organizational abilities of the Mississippi Republican Party, in both concept and execution. Thomas banked heavily on wholesale, mass media driven campaigning. In the final week of the campaign, he spent over $40,000 on television and radio advertising. Judging by the results, his message of being the victim of partisan politics didn’t resonate with the voters he targeted. Though he and his wife did campaign door-to-door, he didn’t mobilize the grassroots organization that White was able to muster. White didn’t have much of an “air” game, opting instead to put his resources on the ground. Most of his energies were put into mobilizing an army of about 125 volunteers to get-out-the-vote in precincts favorable to him in November. What little money White spent on paid media was used for about $5,000, on radio ads. The ads, featuring Governor Haley Barbour, were targeted to conservative talk radio listeners. White utilized two primary messages to energize his supporters to slog to the polls on a rainy Election Day. White ran as the true conservative in the race and built on the theme of change that helped Barbour win election as governor. Barbour helped amplify both by cutting a radio ad, endorsing White in direct mail and even campaigning with White door-to-door last Saturday. White benefited from a highly organized Party organization, a luxury the Democrat Thomas did not enjoy. From their headquarters in Jackson, the Republican Party was able to help White build an impressive volunteer base that was able to contact voters door-to-door and over the phone. Winners
and Losers Winners The Mississippi Republican Party, now under the direction of Barbour camp veteran Arnie Hederman, also had a heavy ownership stake in White’s election by virtue of the leadership role they took. Though he only formally took the reins of the state GOP a month ago, the philosophy and party structure Hederman has put in place passed its first test with flying colors. The business community, led by BIPEC and the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, are also among the winners Tuesday night. White has consistently sported one of the most pro-business voting records in the State Senate. Though he never clearly stated his position on civil justice reform, the business community expressed little doubt about how Thomas would vote as a State Senator. Thomas has made millions as a plaintiffs’ attorney. They got their man with White’s election. Losers A number of plaintiffs’ attorneys invested in their colleague Thomas’ race, hoping to pick-up a vote in the pro-tort reform Senate. Many also probably salivated at the thought of sticking a proverbial thorn in the side of Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck. Their efforts fell short, setting back their efforts to make waves in the State Senate. Mississippi
Right to Life stirred up a controversy by endorsing Thomas instead of
the die-hard pro-life incumbent White. Had Thomas won, the controversy
would probably have faded over time. With White serving day to day in
the State Senate, it likely won’t be forgotten.
Business got mixed results in 2000, but seemed to turn the corner in 2002. Two years ago, a business backed candidate knocked-off Justice Chuck McRae. Another business friendly candidate, Jess Dickinson of Meridian, won a competitive race in the Central District against a candidate backed by the plaintiffs’ bar. Another business friendly candidate, Jess Dickinson of Meridian, won a hard fought race in the Central District against a plaintiffs’ bar backed candidate. Elections this year should be no different. Business and plaintiffs’ lawyers will line up behind candidates in a proxy fight over the direction of justice in the state. With millions at stake for both sides, the bar for election to the Supreme Court has been raised considerably over the past ten years. Northern
District; Position 3 Incumbent Justice George Carlson of Batesville was appointed by Governor Ronnie Musgrove in 2001 to fill a vacancy left by Justice Mike Mills when Mills was tapped for a federal judgeship in Oxford. Carlson is generally liked by the business community and has yet to draw an opponent. Appeals Court Judge David Chandler, who generally lines up with plaintiffs’ attorneys is rumored to be looking at the race. Central
District; Position 1 Incumbent Bill Waller, Jr. of Jackson is viewed favorably by the business community and roundly disliked by the plaintiffs’ bar. Waller hasn't drawn an opponent yet, but rumors have Warren County Circuit Judge Frank Vollor seriously eyeing the race. Vollor ran as the trial lawyer-backed candidate in 2000 against Justice Jim Smith. Central
District; Position 2 Incumbent Justice James Graves of Jackson, the only African-American on the state’s high court, is considered to be aligned with the state’s plaintiffs’ attorneys. Like Carlson, Graves was appointed to the Court in 2001 by Governor Ronnie Musgrove. Along with Graves, the race has drawn former Chancellor Ceola James of Warren County, current Circuit Judge Samac Richardson of Rankin County, and current Jusice Court Judge Bill Skinner of Hinds County. Conventional wisdom says that James will be a non-factor among black voters. Richardson is thought to have the biggest base among white voters, while Skinner will pull some vote from him. Skinner’s entry into the race could easily cause a run-off two weeks after the election in November. Graves is viewed as the most vulnerable Justice running for re-election this year. Consequently, the field of four candidates could expand before the qualifying deadline. Southern
District; Position 3 Two
candidates are already qualified for the race. Court of Appeals Judge
Joe Lee is perceived to be in the plaintiffs’ attorneys camp. Harrison
County attorney David Ishee is courting the business base.
During his successful campaign for Attorney General, Hood was outraged by independent expenditure ads aired by groups on behalf of his opponent. On the flip-side, Hood also took out a $425,000 loan from Bancorp South on October 24th. Hood benefited from laws not requiring him to disclose the details of the loan. After disclosing the terms of her loans last July, Tuck vowed to help pass legislation to clear up ambiguity in Mississippi’s campaign finance system. Many Republicans opposed McCain-Feingold nationally on free speech grounds. Their reaction to the Clark-Hood proposal remains to be seen. If they oppose it, Tuck could be in a tight spot. In the House, Rep. George Flaggs of Vicksburg has already filed legislation requiring full disclosure on loans to candidates. Other election reform proposals of note: Voter
ID Open
primaries Other
election legislation of note
Meanwhile, the search is on for Pickering's replacement on the Federal District Court Bench for Mississippi's Southern District in Hattiesburg. The White House has asked Sennators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott to submit recommendations. The appointment is a lifetime position. Both 14th District Circuit Court Judge Keith Starrett and State Appeals Court Judge Leslie Southwick have met with the White House Counsel's Office for interviews. Starrett had long been mentioned as a potential replacement for Pickering when the nomination first arrived in 2001. Southwick had been considered as an alternative to Pickering on the 5th Circuit when the nomination ran into difficulties. Others mentioned in the press as possible candidates include: Attorney Mike Randolph of Hattiesburg, former Hinds County Circuit Judge Ermea J. Russell and Chancery Court Judge Johnny Lee Williams of Hattiesburg. Representative Bennie Thompson has suggested attorneys Constance Slaughter-Harvey of Forresst and Deborah Gambrell, a Justice Court Judge in Hattiesbug, but no word if they made the Senators' lists. The
White House will consider recommendations by the Senators, but isn't bound
by them.
Click here for a complete review of Operation Streamline. New
Speaker of the House Billy McCoy presented the “McCoy Plan”
to Barbour and the legislature last week. McCoy envisions the 20-year
plan bringing more jobs to Mississippi. Developed in conjunction with
university leaders, the plan funds scholarships targeted at critical geographical
and subject areas, offers incentives for professionals to stay in state
and provides stable funds for research.
www.Vote-Stephanie.com |
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State
Senator Richard White easily cruised to re-election in the final round
of the controversial Senate District 29 race. With all precincts reporting,
White had tallied over 2,000 more votes than his opponent, Jackson attorney
DeWayne Thomas. The spread gave White an impressive 59 percent of the
vote in the Senate ordered special election.
The
Jackson-based lobbying firm Capitol Resources has added several Haley
Barbour staffers and one former Musgrove staffer. Barbour’s nephew
and campaign manager, Henry Barbour, has joined the firm as a partner.
Barbour’s brother, Austin, who served as a fundraiser for his uncle’s
gubernatorial campaign, is also joining the firm. Capitol Resources rounds
out its new hires with former Barbour campaign staffer Melissa Hederman
and former Musgrove Communications Director LeAnn Mayo.
The
Ronnie Show
Governor
Haley Barbour unveiled a budget plan that reduces the budget gap from
$709 million this year to $356 next year. According to Barbour, the state’s
budget gap would be closed in two years under his proposal, which he dubbed
“
www.GovernorBarbour.com
www.ChuckMcrae.com
