Political Report #36
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Magnolia Political Report
January 22, 2003
(Number 36)
MagnoliaReport.com
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***EDITOR'S NOTE: This will be the last Magnolia Political Report that I put together for MagnoliaReport.com subscribers. I will be moving to a new position in February, which will prevent me from managing MagnoliaReport.com and preparing the bimonthly Magnolia Political Report. The new executive director of MagnoliaReport.com is Josh Gregory (josh@magnoliareport.com). I'm sure you will grow to know him over the coming months as MagnoliaReport.com endeavors to continue to be the online scoop for Mississippi politics. Josh has some changes in mind that I believe will benefit you, and I look forward to waking up every morning and reading the news instead of linking it. Thanks for your support over these many months and I hope you will continue supporting MagnoliaReport.com as Josh takes it to new successes. - Josh Gregory***
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Scuttlebutt
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Governor Ronnie Musgrove (D-Panola) continues his education tour around the state, and though he has not announced for reelection, is expected to make education his central campaign focus. Haley Barbour for Governor bumper stickers are beginning to pop up around the metro-Jackson area where Barbour has opened a campaign headquarters on Jackson's County Line Road. Barbour (R-Yazoo City) has also yet to announce but sent a letter to potential donors and supporters, which said, "I am writing to let you know I intend to run for Governor this year. I won't formally announce for some time, but I want you to know in advance." The letter asked for support because "The current governor will do anything to get reelected, and he will have a mountain of special interest money to assist him." It also invited those receiving the letter to one of nine organizational meetings held in Southaven, Tupelo, Starkville, Brookhaven, Hattiesburg, Gulfport, Greenwood, Meridian and Jackson over the next few weeks. The Sun Herald's Ben Bryant reports that Senator Tommy Gollott (D-Biloxi) "said Attorney General Mike Moore, a Pascagoula native, might jump into the governor's race." An interesting note to this quote, Gollott's session roommate is Representative J.P. Compretta (D-Bay St Louis, Dist 122), father of Mike Moore's assistant attorney general Jonathan Compretta.
Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck (R-Maben) has begun setting up her reelection headquarters and continues to make rounds through the state introducing herself to Republican activists. Her expected primary opponent Dr. Randy Russell (R-Jackson) has also been hitting the primary beat with the help of former Governor Kirk Fordice who recently told a Hattiesburg crowd that he supported Tuck switching, but that doesn't mean he supports her. On the Democratic side, former Supreme Court Judge, Public Safety Commissioner and 1999 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Roberts told radio host Paul Gallo on SuperTalk Mississippi that while he has not yet officially announced, he intends to run for lieutenant governor. Democratic Senator Barbara Blackmon (Canton) has also been mentioned as a potential candidate.
Four term State Treasurer Marshall Bennett announced he would not seek re-election this November. He accepted a position with the New York law firm Wolf Popper LLP, which has plaintiff expertise in the fields of securities and consumer fraud class action litigation, corporate governance, antitrust and commercial practice. Several names of potential candidates jumped out quickly, but many have now announced that they will not seek the position. The Republican leader of the race looks now to be Representative Carmel Wells-Smith (R-Pascagoula, Dist 111) who has been considering the state treasurer's post for some time and is expected to announce soon. She was first elected in 1992 and has made a name for herself in the legislature among conservative lawmakers both as lead sponsor of the "Choose Life" car tag bill that passed in 2002, and a supporter of creationism in public education. However, Federal Surface Board Commissioner and former Mississippi Transportation Commissioner Wayne Burkes (R) has now jumped into the race as well and can make an interesting primary campaign between two generations of Mississippi Republicans. Democratic names floating in the rumor mill include former Congressman Ronnie Shows (Bassfield), state Senator Rob Smith and Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration head Gary Anderson, a Musgrove appointee. Anderson formerly served as Senior Vice President of Sunburst/Union Planters Bank and founded Barrington Mortgage Company. Were he to win the nomination, he would be the first black Democrat to be on the statewide ballot. Names that have announced they will NOT seek the seat include Southaven Mayor Greg Davis (R), Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Gordon (D-Okolona, Dist 8) and Representative Randy Bubba "Bubba" Pierce (D-Leakesville, Dist 105). Names still considering include Jackson attorney Delbert Hosemann (R) and Jackson Ward 1 City Councilman Ben Allen (R), who has opened an exploratory committee on the possibility.
Statewide Democratic incumbents to qualify for reelection so far include Secretary of State Eric Clark, Insurance Commissioner George Dale, and Public Service Commissioners Bo Robinson (Northern District) and Michael Callahan (Southern District). Senator Bill Minor has qualified for Northern District Transportation Commissioner. Incumbent Southern District Transportation Commissioner Wayne Brown has a challenger in the Democratic Primary from Kenneth "Buster" Hamm.
On the Republican side, Aaron "Lucky" DuPuy has qualified for Insurance Commissioner, Incumbent Nielsen Cochran has qualified for Central District Public Service Commissioner, and DeSoto County Supervisor John Caldwell has qualified for the Northern District Transportation Commissioner.
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Be sure to visit MagnoliaReport.com's Rumor Mill 2003 to see who may be running for various offices, or at least the names in the rumor mill.
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Legislature 2003
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Notable Legislative Retirees:
Representative Eloise Scott (Tupelo) (D, Dist 17) in the House since 1988
Representative Clem Nettles (D-Jayess, Dist 97) in the House since 1988
Representative Percy Maples (Lucedale) (R, Dist 107) in the House since 1982
Senator Delma Furniss (D-Rena Lara, Dist 11) in the Senate since 1993, House from 1984-1992
Senator Glenn Hamilton (R-Maben, Dist 15) in the Senate since 1996
Senator Bill Canon (R-Columbus, Dist 17) in the Senate since 1979, House from 1976-1979
Senator Neely Carlton (D-Greenville, Dist 22) in the Senate since 1996
Senator Ron Farris (R-Hattiesburg, Dist 45) in the Senate since 1996
Democratic Primary Fights:
House 4 - Steve Fisher, Greg Ward
House 14 - Pam Denham, Margaret Ellis Rogers
House 17 - Leon Clay, Kelly Mims
House 19 - Jamie Franks, Sid Kirksey
House 22 - Jay Gore, Lamon Griggs
House 24 - Sidney Bondurant, Donny Ryals
House 36 - David Gibbs, David Lambert
House 86 - Sam Britton, Tom Kittrell
House 97 - Danny Smith, Chad Toney
House 99 - Bill Pigott, Zack Rushing, Robert Vince
House 100 - OK Kenny Moore, Ken Morgan
House 103 - Henry Naylor, Percy Watson
House 107 - Doug Lee, Deryk Parker, Nolan "Dink" Walker
House 110 - Billy Broomfield, Mitch Ellerby
House 115 - Glenn Edwin Endris, Randall Patterson
Senate 3 - Nickey Browning, Carl Sudduth
Senate 11 - Robert "Bobby" Jackson, James "Boone" Newton, Joe W. Phillips, Sr
Senate 39 - Cindy Hyde-Smith, W.L. Rayborn
Republican Primary Fights:
Senate 3 - Lee Newman, Bruce McCoy
Senate 30 - Monica Baldwin, Dean Kirby
House 40 - John Wright, Ted Mayhall
House 64 - Bill Denny, Joe Nosef
House 74 - Mark Baker, John Colette
House 78 - Shirley Jean Johnson, Tom Edwards
House 95 - Robert Tompkins, Eric Necase
House 117 - Patrick Collins, Michael Janus
Partisan Contested Races:
House 23: Joey Grist (D)[I], Charles Jim Beckett (R)
House 39: Jeff Smith (D)[I], Bill Coleman (R)
House 44: Danny Petty (D), Kirk Morgan (R) [Incumbent Mike Eakes (D)]
House 53: Bobby Moak (D)[I], Richard Baker (R)
House 73: Jay Loftin (D), Jim Ellington (R)[I]
House 78: Billy Nicholson (D)[I], Shirley Jean Johnson (R), Thomas Edwards (R)
House 79: Bo Eaton (D)[I], Larry Harvey (R)
House 95: Linda Johnson (D), Robert Tompkins (R), Eric Necase (R) [Incumbent Andrew Ketchings (R)]
House 97: Danny Smith (D), Chad Toney (D), Sam Mims (R) [Incumbent Clem Nettles (D) - Retire]
House 99: Bill Pigott (D), Zack Rushing (D)[I], Robert Vince (D), James Bates (R)
House 100: Kenny Moore (D)[I], Ken Morgan (D), Virginia Carter Carlton (R)
House 121: Diane Peranich (D)[I], Ray Harmon (R)
Senate 3: Nickey Browning (D)[I], Carl Sudduth (D), Lee Newman (R), Bruce McCoy (R)
Senate 5: JP Wilemon (D), Charles Walden (R)[I]
Senate 32: Sampson Jackson (D)[I], Willie Joe Coleman (R)
Senate 52: Robert Hooks (D), TO Moffatt (R)[I]
Legislative News Briefs:
HOUSE 97 - District Attorney Danny Smith (D) will seek this seat vacated by Rep Clem Nettles (D-Jayess) who isn't seeking re-election. Smith will face Chad Toney (Gloster) in the Democratic Primary.
HOUSE 102 - After considering a run for Senate District 45 being vacated by Ron Farris (R), Rep Lee Jarrell Davis (R) will once again run for House District 102 that he has held since 1992.
HOUSE 117 - Representative Michael Janus has qualified to run for reelection. Janus lost in his bid for Mayor of Biloxi in 2001, but returns to run for a third term in the House. Patrick Collins, an employee at Gulfport's Department of Urban Development, will challenge him in the Republican Primary.
SENATE 11 - Former Jonestown Mayor Joe Phillips (D) will seek the state Senate seat to be vacated by Senator Delma Furniss (D-Rena Lara). Phillips is a Church of God in Christ minister and served one term as Jonestown mayor before losing a re-election bid in 2001. Robert Jackson, chief executive officer of Quitman County Development Organization in Marks and a Quitman County supervisor from 1988 to 1995 has also qualified. Others looking at the seat include former Coahoma County schools Superintendent Ann Harland Webster of Clarksdale and Louis "Boone" Newton of Marks, who has sought the Senate seat several times previously. Joe W. Phillips Sr has also qualified for this seat as a Democrat. The Legislative Black Caucus has organized a committee to review potential candidates.
SENATE 15 - Representative Rob Roberson (R-Starkville, Dist 37) will seek this senate seat being vacated by Senator Glenn Hamilton (R) as he seeks a local political office. Hamilton held this seat since 1996 when the Senator Amy Tuck vacated it to run for Secretary of State. Roberson's House district has been redistricted into the same district as fellow Republican Representative Gary Chism (Columbus, Dist 45?). Chism plans to run for the new House 37 seat.
SENATE 19 - Former district manager for Congressman Roger Wicker (R-MS1) Merle Flowers (R-Southaven) announced he would seek this new DeSoto County based Senate seat. Flowers's declaration followed months of speculation about his political future. His campaign web site at www.merleflowers.com lists information on Flowers and the seat. He was flanked for his announcement by GOP VIPs. So far, no one has qualified to run against him.
SENATE 30 - Monica Baldwin (R), a former Rankin County Election Commissioner, announced from the Capitol steps that she would seek this post. Baldwin a 50 year old, wife and mother of four is a board member of Right To Life of Jackson. She will face incumbent Dean Kirby (R-Pearl) who has held the seat since 1992.
Candidates qualifying at the Mississippi Democratic Party and the Mississippi Republican Party can be viewed on each party's web site. According to the Mississippi Green Party and Mississippi Libertarian Party, no candidates have yet qualified for office to run under those party banners. Jim Giles is recruiting "pro-white/anti-Zionist" candidates to run as independents and has so far found one legislative candidate. Legislative candidates have until March 1 to qualify for election.
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Currently on the Images Page at MagnoliaReport.com: a picture of Merle Flowers announcing his campaign for Senate 19, Secretary of State Eric Clark in Hancock County, the Amy Tuck Party Switch Press Conference, and Thad Cochran with young Mississippians in Washington DC.
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Round Up
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Attorney General Mike Moore has issued an opinion stating that offices in which candidates can qualify to run for political office must be open until 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 1. There has been speculation these offices could require those wanting to seek political office to qualify by Friday, Feb. 28 instead of being open on Saturday. The opinion by the Attorney General's office said "all officials authorized to accept candidate qualifications papers must open their offices and be available for that purpose on that date (Saturday, March 1) until 5 p.m., regardless of whether that office is normally open on that day of the week." Affected by the opinion are political party headquarters, circuit clerk offices in all 82 counties and the Secretary of State's office. People running for statewide office, multi-county offices and for all legislative seats qualify with the political party headquarters in Jackson or with the Secretary of State's office if they are running as an independent. People running for county offices normally qualify in the circuit clerk's office.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Ed Pittman has sworn in Jess Dickinson as a special circuit and chancery judge. Dickinson defeated Supreme Court Justice Chuck McRae in last year's judicial elections, but due to the term and election calendars, will not take office until January 2004. Dickinson will preside over cases in the circuit and chancery courts by assignment from the Supreme Court through December. He will be paid the salary and expenses of a circuit or chancery court judge, based on the number of days he hears cases. Dickinson is expected start hearing cases in circuit courts in Forrest and Perry counties.
Former George County Sheriff George Miller was sentenced to six months home confinement for his guilty plea of two counts of perjury. For the next six months Miller must wear an electronic monitoring device and is prohibited from leaving his home without the permission of probation officers. Miller will be required to foot the bill for the electronic incarceration, which averages about $200 per month. The maximum sentence Miller faced was 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
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Be sure to visit MagnoliaReport.com's Political Calendar to keep updated on upcoming political events. Calendar last updated, today.
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Party Switching
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Rep. Frank Hamilton (Hurley, Dist 109), serving in the House since 1992 as a Democrat, filed to run for re-election as a Republican. Freshman Representative Larry Baker (Senatobia, Dist 8) also has moved from the Democratic to Republican Party. These two representatives bring to four the number of Democratic lawmakers switching to the GOP since Lt Governor Amy Tuck made her move this past December. Representative Herb Frierson (Poplarville, Dist 106) and Senator Terry Burton (Newton, Dist 31) have already switched. The Mississippi House now has 83 Democrats, 36 Republicans and three independents. The Senate has 31 Democrats and 21 Republicans.
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1/10/03 - Judicial Campaign Finance Recap
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Court of Appeals - First District
Roger McMillin $330,949.59 Raised; $321,324.28 Spent
Ralph Doxey $173,500 Raised; $173,500 Spent
Court of Appeals - Third District
Jim Brantley $367,882.50 Raised; $369,871.58 Spent
Kenny Griffis $528,942 Raised; $500,579.41 Spent
Supreme Court - Southern District
Larry Buffington $186,721 Raised; $183,269.52 Spent
Jess Dickinson $1,007,380.35 Raised; $968,635.17 Spent
Chuck McRae $642,013 Raised; $628,247.30 Spent
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Online Politics
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As reported by the Times of South Mississippi, Dr. Ben Kitchens (Iuka) is creating an e-mail network of tort reform supporters across Mississippi to promote probusiness candidates during the 2003 elections. The campaign is coordinating with doctors, health care workers and businessmen to develop 100 county chairpersons to conduct a get-out-the-vote effort for selected candidates. Each county chair will be asked to sign-up 50 directors in their county or metropolitan area who should sign-up 25 election friends. At election time, each of the election friends will be responsible for contacting and getting 10 people to the polls to vote for pro-business and pro-medical candidates. Physicians involved in the campaign will also be given a sign and box to place in the clinics, which will collect names and e-mail addresses of patients wishing to help their doctors with the e-mail campaign. Organizers of the group say if the campaign is successful and everyone involved meets their goal, 1.25 million voters could go to the polls to cast their ballots for pro-medical and business candidates. The candidates the group supports will be those selected by the Mississippi Health Care Association, the Mississippi State Medical Association, the Mississippi Hospital Association, Mississippians for Economic Progress and other related groups.
The Hancock County Democratic Party Executive Committee has a web page hosted on the state Democratic Party's web site. (You can get to it from MagnoliaReport.com's Political Links.) It lists the executive committee members, committees, activities, and local voter and political information.
The new Amy Tuck web page is up with campaign photos, campaign leadership, issues, news, events and various feedback devices. The web site at www.amytuck.com also lists the reelection campaign headquarters address.
The once top secret State Sovereignty Commission files are now open for everyone to search online at the web site of the Department of Archives and History. The search page can be accessed from the front page at www.mdah.state.ms.us and allows all the files to be searched by first name, last name, nickname, or initials.
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Final Word - Finding the Time
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"I have not made up my mind. I'm praying over the situation. I think a man needs to know when it's time to go home, but I don't know when that time is." Representative Clem Nettles in the Clarion Ledger: January 6, 2003
"Rep. Clem Nettles, D-Jayess, said the redrawing of his district lines was the main reason for his leaving the Legislature, although he, too, wants to invest more family time. 'When you can see your neighbor's house and they can't vote for you, it's just a district I feel hurt about,' said the 72-year-old lawmaker." - Clarion Ledger: January 7, 2003
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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
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