Magnolia Political Report

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The Magnolia Political Report for October 22, 2002

Magnolia Report 29

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Magnolia Political Report
October 22, 2002
(Number 29) - Web Version
www.MagnoliaReport.com

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Rumor Mill
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The Times of South Mississippi reported that Senator Ron Farris (R-Hattiesburg) plans to remain a Senator and not run for Lieutenant Governor as is listed as a rumor on MagnoliaReport.com's Rumor Mill 2003. He did not rule out running for the post in the future.

Jim Keenan tells us that he is not a rumored candidate for the Republican nomination for governor in 2003, he is an actual candidate. He lists his campaign experience as "Finance Chairman, Senator Thad Cochran's three Congressional races; handled Hinds County and Fourth Congressional District in first Senate race (this was Thad's home congressional district), Chairman of Re-election Committee in last two Cochran congressional races in addition to Finance Chairman. Advanced Givers Chairman in Gil Carmichael's fist Governor's race...Now advising Chip Pickering and Thad Cochran's campaigns." His campaign slogan is "Making Mississippi a Better Place for All of Us." He also ran in 1999, dropping out before the Republican Primary.

Speculation continues, as it will until the qualifying deadline, of what Mike Moore will do in 2003. Current reports say that "all options are on the table" again, but the rumor barometer is now shifting towards a reelection campaign to the office of Attorney General.

Rankin County political activists are encouraging Circuit Judge Samac Richardson (Brandon) to challenge Musgrove appointee Supreme Court Judge James Graves Jr. (Jackson) in November 2004. Richardson stands unopposed for reelection to the 20th District Circuit Court (Rankin, Madison Counties) this year; Graves missed having to defend his post (Mississippi Central District) through a change in state law this past year (SB2289).

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Online Politics
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STOP Lawsuit Abuse in Mississippi has updated its page. Go to www.stoplawsuitabuse-ms.com to view comparisons of the candidates running for State Supreme Court and Appeals Court.

"Friends of Bennie Thompson" has launched BennieThompson.org listing the Congressman's biography, issues, a calendar of events and pictures as well as an audio file titled "Bennie on Republicans."

At GaryChism.com you can read a biography and listing of committees on which State Representative Gary Chism (R-40/37) serves. His front page has an interesting feature with a count down clock for the 2003 Election.

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Round Up
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Senate District 25 - Today is the deadline to qualify for the Special Election to fill out the term of Senator John White who resigned in frustration during the recent special session. The special election will be held on November 5 and if no candidate earns more than 50% of the vote, a run-off election between the top two candidates will take place on November 19. The district lines are the old lines not those redrawn following the 2000 census. The winner will face reelection in November 2003. Currently, nine individuals have qualified: Rodney Beasley (New Site), high school teacher; Ken Floyd II (Booneville), attorney with Cadle & Floyd; Lin Floyd (Booneville), school teacher and Republican activist; Cliff Long (Booneville), President and CEO of B&W Furniture Frames; George A. Waddell (Marietta), farmer and former family physician; Charles E. Walden (Booneville), high school teacher; Christi Antillon Webb (Baldwyn), professor at Northeast MS Community College; Bill White (Booneville), real estate broker; and J.P. Wilemon Jr (Booneville), alderman.

Party Judges - The Mississippi Republican Party State Executive Committee filed suit asking the Federal Court to declare Mississippi's statutory prohibition on political parties endorsing or contributing to the campaigns of judicial candidates unconstitutional on First Amendment grounds. Yesterday Judge Henry T. Wingate did just that. The Mississippi Attorney General's office, in its capacity as defense counsel for the state, did not disagree. The Court expedited the suit because judicial campaigns are currently underway and will meet the voters at the ballot box in two weeks. Endorsements are expected for some judicial candidates very soon, perhaps today. However, this ruling addresses the free speech of political parties and not judicial candidates, nor in their nature as candidates. The Court did not alter the provision stating, "judicial office is a nonpartisan office and a candidate for election thereto is prohibited from campaigning or qualifying for such an office based on party affiliation." The unconstitutional provision was passed in 1998 by the Mississippi legislature and vetoed by then Governor Kirk Fordice. In 1999, the Legislature overruled Fordice's veto and the measure became law. Politically, this is a victory for Republican Party Chairman Jim Herring and Legal and Strategic Counsel Andy Taggart who served as the party's attorney. Taggart also served as Chief of Staff for Governor Fordice's first term. It could also benefit several judicial candidates around the state. All political parties have had their freedom to endorse and support candidates returned to them by this ruling.

RNC to MS - Jack Oliver, Deputy Chairman for the Republican National Committee, dropped in to Jackson on October 18 for a packed day with state Republicans. He met with Haley Barbour and the GOP's Team Mississippi and Capital Foundation. He briefed those Republican state legislators that remained in Jackson after the special session adjourned for the weekend and followed that with an interview us. Later that evening, Oliver attended the Madison County Republican Women's 25th Anniversary event at the Madison Cultural Center, which was emceed by State Senator Tim Johnson (R-Madison). Congressional candidates Chip Pickering and Clinton LeSueur attended this event along with Republican State Chairman Jim Herring of Canton.

Good Lott - US Senate Minority Whip Don Nickles (OK) has ended months of speculation that he might challenge Senator Trent Lott for the top Republican Senate Leadership Position, virtually ensuring Lott another term as Republican leader. Lott has held the post since June of 1996 when then Leader Bob Dole resigned to run for president.

Mover and Shaker - Mississippi House of Representatives Public Information Officer Mac Gordon has been elected to a two-year term on the executive committee of the Legislative Information and Communications Staff section of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Gordon has served the House since February 1998 and is a former political reporter and editor for The Clarion-Ledger.

Barbour Support - A score of physicians hosted a fundraiser for Court of Appeals candidate Kenny Griffis at the Hilton Hotel on October 15. Haley Barbour was the special guest and second only to Griffis as the man whose hand politicos wanted to shake at the event.

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By The Numbers
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14 Days till Election Day 2002
129 Days till Qualifying Deadline 2003

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Third Congressional District Race
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About 400 supporters turned out for a Pickering Grassroots Rally in Brookhaven last night, including State Representative Jim Barnett (D-Brookhaven) and former State Senator W.L. Rayborn (D-Brookhaven). But National Democrats have their own plans to turn out voters for Shows, and they include conference calls between Democrat community activists and former President Bill Clinton.

Endorsements and Awards: Chip Pickering has received endorsements from the Mississippi Pharmacists Association and from 45 Rankin County elected officials. He also received a Friend of the Farm Bureau Award. Ronnie Shows received endorsements from the National Farmers Union PAC, the Mississippi Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, and Congressman Gene Taylor (D-MS). He received awards from the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association as well as earning the Family Research Council's "True Blue Award."

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Judicial Campaign Contributions
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Supreme and Appeals Court Races as of October 10, 2002
Candidate Total In Total Out Cash on Hand

Supreme Court - Southern District
Larry Buffington $26,575.00 $7,338.25 $19,236.75
Jess Dickinson $617,332.99 $378,021.97 $239,311.02
Chuck McRae $298,290.00 $296,332.15 $1,957.85

Appeals Court - District One
Ralph Doxey $45,350.00 $30,250.90 $15,099.10
Roger McMillin $238,684.59 $204,991.98 $33,692.61

Appeals Court - District Three
Jim Brantley $66,065.00 $36,144.77 $29,920.23
Kenny Griffis $357,269.00 $187,153.47 $170,115.53

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Local Politics
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CANTON - Voters go to the polls today to decide between the Democrat incumbents and their impendent challengers. Mayor Alice Scott faces Fred Esco and Elizabeth Parsons; Ward 2 Alderman Jon Flynn faces Edward Thompson; Ward 3 Alderman S.K. Desai faces former Alderman Charles Weems and Gregory Johnson; Ward 4 Alderman Louis Smith faces James Thompson; and Ward 5 Alderman Kenny Wayne Jones faces Clarence Pace.

CLAIBORNE COUNTY - Tax Collector-Assessor Mary Jones and her deputy Doretha Rankin resigned under investigation by the State Auditor's Office of Public Integrity. Only a few years earlier, Evan Doss, the previous tax collector in Claiborne County, went to prison for embezzlement. Jones was one of his employees. Claiborne County supervisors replaced Jones with an interim tax collector, Diane Davaul.

COLDWATER - A special election will be held November 12 to fill the seat left vacant by Coldwater Ward 1 Aldermen Ruth Weeks' death in August. Voting will be held at the Coldwater Town Hall. Anyone interested in running for that office must present a petition with no less than 15 signatures of Ward 1 voters at least 10 days prior to the election.

LAUREL - City Councilman Thaddeus Edmonson's trial for accepting bribes in exchange for a city contract has been scheduled for November 5 in Jones County Circuit Court. Edmonson is accused of taking two payments of $2,500 in May to ensure the passage of a road-widening project in Laurel. A grand jury indicted him on June 3.

OLIVE BRANCH - Ward 3 voters go to the polls today for a run off election between Bob Lincoln and Harold Henderson. The two won through a four-man race with 209 votes for Lincoln (49%), 124 votes for Henderson (29%), 58 votes for Don Brown (14%) and 33 votes for Ronald Shepard (8%).

PEARL - On October 8, voters passed a $10.95 million school bond issue with 87.3% (1663 votes) for and 12.7% (242 votes) against the measure. State law requires that school bond issues pass by no less than 60 percent. Of the 32,871 registered voters in Pearl, only 5.8 percent of the voting age population went to the polls.

PRENTISS COUNTY - District 2 Supervisor Glen Green will appear in court on November 11 for a DUI refusal. He was driving a county vehicle at the time of the arrest. He failed a field sobriety test, blaming it on bad feet and ankles. Green's license was suspended for 90 days because of the DUI test refusal.

WAVELAND - Democrats John "Tommy" Longo (incumbent), Louis Smolensky, Joan Siekmann Coleman; Republicans Bill "Wild Bill" Laprime and Jay Fountain; and independent W.E. "Bill" Cross are the six candidates for mayor going into the November 5 municipal primary. The general election with the respective Democrat and Republican nominees, and independent Cross, will be conducted on December 3. Meanwhile, there are 14 candidates for the four alderman positions.

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Images Page
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MagnoliaReport.com's Images Page currently has four pictures of Congressman Chip Pickering and two pictures of Congressman Ronnie Shows. Shows is pictured with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and also accepting the "True Blue Award" from the Family Research Council. Pickering is pictured with campaign volunteers from Natchez and Hinds Counties, accepting the Mississippi Pharmacist Association endorsement, and with former Congressman Sonny Montgomery at the Montgomery Institute.

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From RollCall.com
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Roll Call Daily (Washington DC) Editor Ed Henry focused on "Weekend at Ronnie's, Part II" for his October 10 report. Henry says, "Rep. Ronnie Shows (D), who's been running campaign ads that say, 'A good Congressman has to plant his feet right here in Mississippi instead of some Washington cocktail party,' was already left red-faced when his staff recently decided to throw a suds party in the office. And then last Thursday, Shows was invited to attend a D.C. reception for the new president of the University of Southern Mississippi, Shelby Thames. Since Shows is the delegation's only graduate of the school -- and he's facing a very tough re-election battle -- it seemed like a no-brainer for him to hobnob with other alumni. But Shows' staff sent word that the Congressman was planning to race home to Mississippi (being a man of the people and all) since the House wasn't going to be in session Friday. So he skipped the reception. One can then imagine the surprise felt by Thames and his entourage when they left the reception and headed to the swank Caucus Room to unwind. Who do they run into but Shows, hanging in the bar area with a few pals. A Shows adversary claims that when the Congressman spotted Thames across the bar, he was 'visibly embarrassed that he had blown off his alma mater' earlier in the evening. Shows campaign spokesman Troy Colbert, however, insisted it was all an innocent misunderstanding and his boss was not embarrassed by the episode at all. He said Shows did not know about his alma mater's reception: Because he was planning to go home that night, his staff never put the event on his schedule and he didn't even know Thames was in town. But Shows' flight got cancelled Thursday night, so he decided to go to the Caucus Room for dinner."

A few days later on October 14, Henry had some news about Senator Trent Lott. He says that Lott, "was apparently looking for some special proclamation from President Bush on the lawmaker's 61st birthday Wednesday. While some folks are shy about telling others about their birthdays, Lott didn't hold back during a phone conversation with White House Chief of Staff Andy Card that morning. 'Andy, it's my birthday,' Lott blurted. 'Happy Birthday,' replied the business-like Card. Lott recalled later that he couldn't help but ask, 'Is that all there is?' Card replied, according to Lott, 'Fraid so.' At his press briefing the following day, Lott discussed speculation that a continuing resolution to keep the government open might last until Nov. 22. He was asked the significance of that date. 'Must be somebody's birthday,' he cracked. 'It's definitely not my birthday.'"

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Final Word - Negative Campaigning
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"'I have tried to run a positive campaign based on the issues that affect Mississippi's Third Congressional District,' commented Shows. 'Unfortunately, the Republican Party and the Pickering Campaign have been using scare tactics and distortions to mislead the voters and deflect from the issues that really matter. Mississippians deserve better than this.'" - Shows Campaign Release: October 21, 2002

"Today, Ronnie Shows demonstrated that he would rather make false accusations than attempt to run on his record. It is a little early in the campaign to be desperate, but Ronnie Shows started the negative campaigning that he and the National Democrat Party are so well known for....'People in Mississippi have had enough of negative politics already this year,' stated Henry Barbour, Campaign Manager for Pickering's Campaign." - Pickering Campaign Release: May 30, 2002

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Magnolia Political Report, 2002
Brian Perry, Editor
MagnoliaReport.com
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© Magnolia Political Report 2002 • PO Box 24233 Jackson, Mississippi 39225
FAX 601.355.7885 • scoop@magnoliareport.com
Brian Perry, Editor