Political Report #35
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Magnolia Political Report
January 8, 2003
(Number 35)
MagnoliaReport.com
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Scuttlebutt
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Statewide candidates have been hustling to raise as much money by year-end for the January 31st filings. Incumbent Democrat Governor Ronnie Musgrove is expected to have somewhere over $2 million cash-on-hand, though trial lawyer dissatisfaction may have slowed his fundraising. Expected Republican frontrunner Haley Barbour, having only started raising money in the past month without any events, is expected to be north of $250K. Sources close to the Barbour campaign believe Musgrove will attack early, since he has so much money and has "particularly high unfavorables and low-re-elect numbers."
Richard Buckman, a Mississippi Democratic campaign operative most recently with Congressman Ronnie Shows, is rumored to have gone to work for Jackson attorney John Arthur Eaves Jr. Eaves has been mentioned as a potential challenger to Governor Ronnie Musgrove in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.
Southaven Mayor Greg Davis, considered a potential Republican challenger to Democrat Incumbent Treasurer Marshall Bennett, has decided to not seek statewide election this year and instead, to pursue reelection as Southaven Mayor in 2005.
Outgoing Congressman Ronnie Shows has long been mentioned as a possible opponent against Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck. Some political observers are suggesting he might find a better fit against Insurance Commissioner George Dale.
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Headlines
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Senator Trent Lott will serve on the Finance Committee, Commerce Committee, Intelligence Committee, and will be Chairman of the Rules and Administration Committee. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, the Senate's No. 3 Republican, had been slated to become chairman before the Lott situation developed. Santorum is a close friend and supporter of Lott. Furthermore, the Senate will take up a measure this week allowing Lott to keep his taxpayer-subsidized car and driver. According to Fox News, Senate Republican leaders are seeking to soften the blow of Lott's surrender of his leadership post and Senate Democratic leaders do not object and will not oppose the measure on the floor. Senate Majority Leader-elect Bill Frist will also receive a car and driver as will Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle.
President George W. Bush has renominated Federal District Judge Charles Pickering to a seat on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as 30 other judicial nominees who were not confirmed by the Democrat-controlled Senate last year. Pickering was the first major judicial fight of the Bush Administration and was not referred to the Senate on a party line committee vote under Democratic control. Republicans now have control of the committee.
Congressman Gene Taylor (MS-4) was one of four Southern conservative Democrats who declined to vote for their new leader Nancy Pelosi when the House re-elected Speaker Dennis Hastert at the opening of the new session of Congress. Hastert (R-IL) defeated Pelosi (D-CA) on a party line 228-201 vote. Taylor voted for Congressman John Murtha (PA), one of the Democrat Party's senior members, just as he did two years ago when Hastert was chosen speaker over then-Democratic leader Dick Gephardt. Taylor "has said in the past that Murtha is a pro-defense, pro-life, pro-gun Democrat," said his chief of staff, Wayne Weidie.
Bob McNair, the newly elected Mayor of Mount Olive, is the first African-American to serve as mayor of any town in Covington County. Formerly an alderman with 32 years as a public servant, he ran unopposed for the job after former Mayor Jack King resigned. McNair will serve the remaining two years of the former mayor's term.
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Campaign 2003
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Senate 3 - Incumbent Nickey Browning (D-Ecru) has drawn two Republican challengers in businessman Bruce McCoy (Ecru) and Retired Air Force Colonel Lee Newman (Calhoun County). McCoy runs McCoy Grocery and Newman runs a grant writing company focused on educational needs.
Senate 11 - Senator Delma "Bulldog Delma" Furniss (D-Rena Lara) announced he will not seek reelection. his 20-years of service began in the House of Representatives in 1983 for two terms before defeating incumbent Kenneth Williams in the Senate in 1992.
Senate 22 - Senator Neely Carlton (D-Greenville) announced this week that she would not be seeking reelection. Former Republican Representative Tom Cameron (Greenville), who ran as an independent in his last race due to local GOP politics, found his seat dissolved during the recent redistricting. He may consider a run for this senate seat. He may also challenge Democrat Representative May Whittington for her House District 34 seat. Another potential name for Carlton's seat is attorney John Cox (D-Cleveland).
Senate 45 - Forrest-Perry District Attorney Lindsay Carter (R-Hattiesburg) has announced intention to seek the seat being vacated by Republican Senator Ron Farris (Hattiesburg). Former DA Jon Mark Weathers (R-Hattiesburg) will be seeking Carter's post. Weathers held the position from 1976-1979.
House 15 - Incumbent Pat Montgomery (D-Pontotoc) has a challenge from former Pontotoc Supervisor Keith Herring (Blue Springs).
House 64 - Business attorney Joe Noseph (R-Jackson) qualified this week to seek the seat currently held since 1988 by Bill Denny (R-Jackson) who has yet to announce whether he will seek re-election. Noseph was Hinds County Chairman for the Pickering for Congress campaign.
House 97 - Clem Nettles (D-Jayess), a 16-year veteran of the State Legislature announced he will not seek re-election. Republican Sam C. Mims V (McComb), employed at Croft Metals, has announced his candidacy for the seat.
House 115 - Democrat Glen Endris, a 24-year veteran of the Mississippi House of Representatives before being defeated in 1995 by Republican Michael Janus, has decided to come out of retirement to run for the District 115 post currently held by fellow Democrat Jamie Creel.
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Party Switching
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Monday of this week, Representative Herb Frierson (Poplarville, Dist 106) joined the growing number of elected officials switching to the Republican Party. "My personal political beliefs and philosophy are too conservative for the state and national Democrat Party," said Frierson. "The Democrat Party is not the proper venue for a conservative or even moderate to affect the political discourses of the day. The Republican Party is the proper venue for me." Frierson's change to the Republican Party is the third party switch in the legislature in little over a month. Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck announced her switch to the Republican Party on December 2nd. State Senator Terry Burton switched parties on December 30th. Lt. Governor Tuck and Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Jim Herring were on hand to welcome Frierson to the Republican Party.
Others are expected to join Frierson, if not in the coming month, then when they qualify for reelection prior to February 28. Columnist Bill Minor wrote in his "Eyes on Mississippi" column last week that Representative Jim Barnett (Brookhaven) and Representative Mary Ann Stevens (West) are both considered possible switchers. Other representatives being discussed include Larry Baker (Senatobia), Frank Hamilton (Hurley) and even Mike Eakes (Philadelphia). Billy Nicholson (Little Rock) had been rumored to be considering switching parties, but now it appears he will remain a Democrat. Of these listed, Dr. Barnett seems the most likely to make the move.
The GOP still hopes to see partisan conversions by Senators Tommy Dickerson (Waynesboro, Dist 43) and Travis Little (Corinth, Dist 4) and even possibly Cindy Hyde-Smith (Brookhaven, Dist 39). Plus they are eying the relatively conservative districts being vacated by Senators Neely Carlton (Greenville, Dist 22) and Bill Minor (Holly Springs, Dist 2) as potential pick-ups.
Sen. Rob Smith (D-Richland) has taken the fight against party switching into the hands of the legislature. He has filed a bill that would require party switchers to immediately vacate their seats and run in a special election under their new party. Either the candidate or the candidate's new party would pay the cost of the election. The provision would not apply to candidates who switch on or after the qualifying deadline during the last year of their term.
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Final Word - How's the Water?
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"For anyone considering a run for elective office at any level, I encourage you to join the true party of inclusion - the party that doesn't force ideals outside the mainstream of Mississippi and America on you and those you represent. Come on in. The water is fine." - Senator Terry Burton on his switch at Newton City Hall: December 30, 2002
"Delmar O'Donnell: Well that's it, boys. I've been redeemed. The preacher's done warshed away all my sins and transgressions. It's the straight and narrow from here on out, and heaven everlasting's my reward.
Ulysses Everett McGill: Delmar, what are you talking about? We've got bigger fish to fry.
Delmar O'Donnell: The preacher says all my sins is warshed away, including that Piggly Wiggly I knocked over in Yazoo.
Ulysses Everett McGill: I thought you said you was innocent of those charges?
Delmar O'Donnell: Well I was lyin'. And the preacher says that that sin's been warshed away too. Neither God nor man's got nothin' on me now. C'mon in boys, the water is fine." - O Brother Where Art Thou?
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Magnolia Political Report, 2003
Josh Gregory, Editor
MagnoliaReport.com
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© Magnolia Political Report 2003 • PO Box 24233 Jackson, Mississippi 39225
FAX 601.355.7885 • scoop@magnoliareport.com
Josh Gregory, Editor |
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