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Magnolia Political Report #75
February 5, 2007
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SOS: Clark not running

Secretary of State Eric Clark took everybody by surprise Monday when he announced that he won’t seek a fourth term as Secretary of State. Clark kept it a tight secret, surprising both Democrats and Republicans. Last year Clark was telling people he was either running for governor, LG or SOS.Pundits generally dismissed the notion that he’d challenge Gov. Barbour and didn’t put a lot of stock in him running for LG after a quiet ’06 politically.
 
Clark’s exit opens the door for a crowded field to succeed him.Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck told AP she’s not running for anything this year. However, there are rumors, and a little smoke, that she may be considering the slot since she’s term-limited as LG. If Tuck enters the race, don’t look for a crowded field on the GOP side.

If Tuck doesn’t make the race, all bets are off. Rep. Mike Lott (R-Petal) was exploring a run even if Clark ran for re-election. Once Clark made his announcement, Lott (no relation to Trent) was reportedly burning up the phones trying to line up support. Kelly Hardwick, a former Chief of Staff to Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck, was quoted as saying he’s interested. Hardwick is a counsel to the Mississippi Home Corporation and is a partner of Columbus lawyer Wilbur Colom. Colom is a major contributor to both Republican and Democratic campaigns.
 
Other Republicans said to be considering the race, albeit less actively than Lott and Hardwick, are Southaven Mayor Greg Davis, former Columbus Mayor Jeffrey Rupp and Senator Mike Chaney (R-Vicksburg). Others mentioned in the rumor mill are Sen. Terry Burton (R-Newton), former Rural Development Director Nick Walters and Barbour staffer Daryl Neely.
 
Greg Davis is the mayor of the largest Republican city in one of the most important Republican counties in the state. He has a sizeable campaign war chest on hand, but is looked on with suspicion by many diehard Republicans. He’s held past fundraisers for Democratic candidates and served as an Independent in the legislature.
 
Rupp was a very popular mayor in Columbus before stepping down last year to be a right-hand man to MSU President Doc Fogelsong. He was a popular TV personality in North Mississippi for almost 20 years and enjoys tremendous name ID in an important swing area of the state. The questions for Rupp will be if his stepping down early as mayor hurts a potential run so soon after the fact and if he can overcome not being from a primary vote rich part of the state.
 
Senator Mike Chaney is a well-known commodity in Jackson. Chaney has fundraising ability, some public exposure as chairman of the Senate Education Committee and he is originally from Tupelo so he has strong North MS ties. Chaney’s biggest problem is like Rupp’s – he doesn’t have a primary-rich vote base from which to run.
 
Of the others mentioned, Nick Walters has often talked about running for SOS again following his failed run in 1999. Neely talked seriously about a run in 2003. Burton’s name came to us in the rumor mill – though we discount it because he’s already qualified for re-election.
 
On the Democratic side, rumor has it that Clark’s Chief of Staff, Charles Bearman, is seriously thinking about a run. Bearman is a Corinth native and obviously has experience in the office. Since he has no public profile, he’ll need to raise significant money to make a serious run.
 
Dems are also talking today about the possibility of candidacies from Jay Eads, Sen. Gloria Williamson (D-Philadelphia) or Debbie Dawkins (D-Pass Christian). Eads is a former State Representative from Oxford who moved to Brandon to be an Assistant Secretary of State after he lost in 2003 to Noal Akins (R-Oxford). Williamson is a former State Democratic Party Chairman who has deep pockets herself and access to money from the state’s plaintiffs’ bar. Her husband is Ed Williamson, one of the state’s top-flight trial lawyers. Dawkins is a high-energy member of the Senate who finds herself in a distinct minority on most issues in the conservative Senate. She could make a run out of sheer frustration.

 

Legislative Update

You’ve read about the policy in the newspaper. What’s going on behind what you’re reading in the paper?
 
Democrats in the House are actually organized this year, due in large part to the ambitions of Rep. Jamie Franks (D-Mooreville), the bitterness of Speaker Billy McCoy (D- Rienzi) and the brains of Rep. Cecil Brown (D-Jackson). Dems have an agenda they’ve designed to give them the maximum political mileage out of the session going into the elections this November.
 
On day one, House leadership tried to suspend the rules to consider eight appropriations bills ranging education to the mental health. The leadership was set back when Republicans and a handful of Democrats joined forces to kill the motions to suspend because they had not had time to study the proposals.

The centerpiece of the House Democrat agenda is fully-funding MAEP. The issue always ranks near the top in surveys of Mississippians political opinions, and Dems hoped to use it as a club to bludgeon Republicans with in the fall. Gov. Haley Barbour blunted much of the damage they could cause though when he said he expects MAEP to be fully-funded this year. Expect the Republican dominated Senate to pass an appropriations bill soon that will take the issue off the table for the rest of the session.

The House already passed its K-12 education funding bill along with IHL and community colleges funding, $5 million for a new trooper class, over $20 million to fund regional crisis mental health centers and a $30 million infusion into the wind pool to help lower commercial insurance rates. They’ve also voted to raise the teacher pay scale, increase unemployment benefits, boost the minimum (to $6.25 on 7/1/07, $7.25 on 1/15/08 and indexed to inflation after 1/15/09), give state employees pay raises ranging from $1,500 to $2000, create a statewide tobacco cessation program much like the Partnership and they’ve authorized $200 million in bonds for the state’s institutions of higher learning.

The minimum wage hike is another bill aimed at defeating Republicans in the fall. Though most economists will tell you it’s bad policy that leads to fewer jobs and more high-school drop-outs, it’s good a populist issue for an election year. Nationwide, minimum wage hikes are polling higher now than they have since the minimum wage was last raised nationally in 1997.

 

GOP senators gain equal footing

For the first time in modern Mississippi history, Republicans have gained parity in the State Senate. The switch of Shannon Walley (R-Leakesville) evened-up the Senate at 26 Democrats and 26 Republicans. Though it is an historic event, it doesn’t change much in the Senate. With strong numbers and a Republican occupying the LG’s office, the GOP has had a clear working majority in the Senate since ’03.

 

Morris remembered as a statesman

State Representative Leonard Morris, who chaired the important Medicaid Committee, passed away at age 59 at the University Medical Center due to complications from kidney surgery.

His death hit especially close to home for his colleagues. "If there was a ballot, he would be voted the most-loved member of the House of Representatives," said Rep. John Read (R-Gautier). "There's not a person in that body that won't have a hole in their heart when they hear this."

House Speaker Billy McCoy (D-Rienzi) described Morris as “a gentleman in the truest sense of the word.” He added, "His death leaves a very large void in the Mississippi House of Representatives and the entire Legislature. We leaned on him for so many things, not only as our Medicaid chairman, but in economic development and education, among others. We have lost a giant among men."

Willing and able to work across the partisan and philosophical divide, Morris served as a bridge in the House of Representatives.

Will his brother retire too?

Longtime Central District Public Service Commissioner Nielsen Cochran announced he will not seek a seventh term. Cochran was first elected in 1983 and has frequently been mentioned as a candidate for higher office. Apparently a statewide election never had enough appeal for the easy going Cochran. We wish him well in his retirement and look forward to a spirited race to replace him. Hinds County Supervisor Charles Barbour, the nephew of Govenror Haley Barbour, and Pearl Mayor Jimmy Foster have qualified for the GOP primary. State Senator Lynn Posey (D-Union Church) is said to be seriously considering the race.

Races shaping up

Governor: Former Musgrove Chief of Staff Bill Renick is the first (and possibly only) credible Democrat to throw his hat in the ring to challenge Governor Haley Barbour. Renick was a one-term state senator who has most recently served as Director of the Marshall County Industrial Development Authority.

Renick is well known by Democratic Party insiders, but he’s unknown by the almost 1,000,000 Mississippians who will elect a governor this fall. If he is the Democratic nominee, knocking-off Barbour will be a tall (and expensive) order. As a challenger in ’03, Haley Barbour shattered fundraising records for a Mississippi campaign. He recently told AP that he’s prepared to raise $13 million this year if it’s necessary.

Judging by the e-mail which Renick sent to friends the day before he qualified on January 9th, he seems to understand he’s in for a challenge:

If nothing slips and tears between now and tomorrow (Tuesday) I plan to file my qualifying papers to become a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor. I have put a lot of thought and prayer into this and I just keep coming up with the same gut feeling. I realize this will be a tremendous challenge, but it is one that with the help of a lot of people and especially friends like ya'll that can be successful. I assure you that I am committed to that challenge. I will not be making a formal announcement tomorrow but I will be filing my papers with the party office in Jackson.

Naturally I need all the help from friends like you that you are willing to give. I understand that some of you have to be careful in a race like this because of the positions that you hold. I am asking for your help in what ever manner you may feel comfortable. From speaking a good word when you get the chance to FULL BLOWN I'm for Bill Renick for Governor or any where in between will be greatly appreciated. And please all the prayers you can offer up will be big time helpful.

I hope to see ya'll soon and frequently over the next few months. I'm open for all the advice I can get except for don't run. I'm passed that part and I'm ready to get started. Thanks to all of ya'll for your friendship and any help or thoughts you can give me.

BILL RENICK FOR GOVERNOR
"ONE OF US,FOR ALL OF US"

The most likely candidate to challenge Renick for the Democratic nomination may be Jackson plaintiff’s attorney John Arthur Eaves, Jr. Eaves has been running ads for his law firm that appear to be designed less to attract business and more to build name ID for Eaves as a guy who loves God, country, apple pie and mom and dad. In December, he teamed up with WAPT-TV for a promotion to help provide Christmas gifts on the coast. Eaves sports around Jackson in either his Ferrari or Hummer and has his own private jet sitting at Hawkins Field. If he gets into the race, he’ll have no problem raising enough to financially overwhelm Renick in the primary.

In an interesting twist to the Governor’s race, the Mississippi Democratic Party is running television ads saying Barbour is “two-faced” on important issues like education funding. It’s early to be running ads, but we assume the party is trying to stir up interest in elections up and down the ballot this fall.

Lieutenant governor: Three major candidates for lieutenant governor are already off and running. State Auditor Phil Bryant (R-Brandon), State Senator Charlie Ross (R-Brandon) and State Rep. Jamie Franks (D-Mooreville) all have active campaigns underway.

Franks was the first to officially qualify. The three-term legislator from North Mississippi is known for his colorful suits, brash manner and unapologetic left-leaning populism. In a state where most Democrat politicians run from their national party, Franks won’t be shy about embracing his party. Earlier this month, he supposedly flew with John Arthur Eaves, Jr. to Washington for Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s swearing-in as Speaker of the House. If he has a primary, he’ll have a lot of name ID to build but should be able to raise money due to his closeness with the state’s plaintiffs’ bar – the major source of money for Democratic candidates.

So will Franks have a primary? He was spotted recently at Schimmel’s, a posh Jackson restaurant, having cocktails with 2003 Democratic nominee Barbara Blackmon. Sources say Franks has been lobbying Blackmon to stay out of the race and throw her support behind him.

If Blackmon does stay out of the race, Franks will probably have clear sailing through the primary unless former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove gets in the race. Musgrove was making moves toward a run prior to revelations about his alleged toe-sucking escapades with a client. Once the allegations hit the papers, Musgrove went quiet. It’s a story that will hurt Musgrove, but certainly wouldn’t be fatal in the primary. Musgrove’s biggest problem ultimately may be the questions that will dog him about the on-going Mississippi Beef Processors debacle. Election watchers may have to wait until March 1st to see if he is going to attempt a political comeback. If he does, Franks will be hard pressed to get by him in the primary barring new revelations in the beef plant story.

On the Republican side, State Auditor Phil Bryant officially announced his candidacy in an eight city tour last Monday and Tuesday. With Bryant’s announcement, the GOP field is all but set between Bryant and State Senator Charlie Ross.

Ross made his announcement months ago, but did make news by releasing his campaign finance report early. Ross showed $835,000 cash-on-hand and raised $602,000 in 2006 and Bryant showed $517,000 on hand and $613,000 raised in 2006.

Both campaigns are already staffing up. Neil Forbes, who directed ’03 Republican AG candidate Scott Newton’s campaign, will be managing Bryant’s run. Forbes most recently was a regional political director for the Republican State Leadership Committee. In 2002, Forbes managed Michigan AG Mike Cox’s successful campaign. Managing the Ross campaign will be Nathan Wells, who has been the political director at the Mississippi Republican Party for the past three years.  It will be Wells first race as a campaign manager, but he has been heavily involved in a number of campaigns through his work at the MSGOP.


Senate: A few Senate races are taking shape already, well in advance of the March 1st qualifying deadline. With the partisan balance evenly split in the Senate, both sides will be scrapping to make gains wherever they can. Here’s a brief look at a few of the districts which already have competitive elections shaping up.

Senate district 2: Incumbent Senator Ralph Doxey (R-Holly Springs) won as a Democrat in 2003 but switched parties after his first session in the Senate. Doxey is hands down one of the most capable legislators at the capitol, but he has a tough re-election fight. He’s a conservative Republican in a very Democratic district, but if anyone can pull it off, Doxey can. In his favor is that the northwestern corner of Marshall County has become a suburb of Memphis. Like those in DeSoto County, the voters moving in lean heavily toward the GOP. To date, he’s drawn two Democratic opponents: Steven “King” Fisher of Tippah County and Conway Moore from Marshall County.

Senate district 4: Senator Travis Little (R-Corinth) announced his retirement at the end of the year. To date, two Democrats have filed to replace Little: Eric Powell from Alcorn County and Douglas Thornburg from Tishomingo County. No Republican has filed to date. District 4 leans Republican in statewide and national elections but is new to electing Republicans at a local level. No doubt the GOP will field a strong candidate in the race, and it promises to be one of the most competitive Senate elections in the state this year.

Senate district 6: Democrat Jonny Davis has qualified to challenge Senator Alan Nunnelee (R-Tupelo). Nunnelee has $101,889 in the bank already and represents a heavily GOP district. As Chairman of the Senate Public Health Committee, Nunnelee got put in a bind in his district over a Certificate of Need issue. House Public Health Chairman wanted to issue a CON for a new hospital in Tupelo. It was a tough issue for Nunnelee because the North Mississippi Medical Center is the largest employer in his district. In the end, he opted not to issue the CON. Despite the issue, Nunnelee should be fine for re-election.

Senate district 20: With Senator Charlie Ross stepping up to run for lieutenant governor against State Auditor Phil Bryant, three candidates have jumped in the race to represent the heavily Republican Rankin County district. Developer Charles Porter got an early start on fundraising with a very successful event last year. If money means anything in politics, Porter should have the edge. He reported having $95,745 on hand at the end of the year. Lee Yancy probably won’t have the money Porter has, but should have plenty of volunteers due to his activities at Pinelake Church, one of the largest churches in the state. Active in the Baptist Convention, Yancy took an active role in trying to defeat a proposal to allow casinos to move 800 feet on-shore.

Senate district 25: Senator Walter Michel (R-Jackson) drew a Democratic opponent in his Northeast Jackson based district. Michael Hardin is a technology consultant originally from Vardaman. Michel reported $127,461 on hand going into 2006. We’ll find out by January 31st what he added to the total last year. Whatever it is, Michel shouldn’t have trouble getting re-elected in his heavily Republican district.

Senate district 29: State Senator Richard White (R-Terry) had a tough general election in ’03 against DeWayne Thomas. Thomas is now a Chancery Judge, but two other Dems have already signed up to oppose White – David Blount and Gay Polk. David Blount lives in Belhaven and is well-known to the political crowd as Eric Clark’s former spokesman. White represents a district that cast about 57 percent of its vote for Haley Barbour in 2003, but it will be contentious this time because of shifting demographics.

Senate district 34: Long Senator Billy Thames (D-Mize) is reportedly not running for re-election this year. If he doesn’t, the fight to replace him will be one of the most competitive Senate races in the state. Smith County doctor Larry Gibson has already qualified as a Democrat to replace Thames. Former Barbour for Governor staffer Nic Lott is reportedly looking at jumping into the race as a Republican. Max Phillips, the 2003 GOP nominee for Ag Commissioner, was spotted making the rounds at the capitol last week. Phillips is very popular among GOP ranks and is being courted heavily to throw his hat in the ring.

Senate district 31: Senator Terry Burton (R-Newton) was rumored to be seriously considering a run for the Central District Public Service Commissioner slot but he recently qualified to run for re-election. Burton’s district leans Republican but would be competitive in an open seat race. Travis Watkins of Newton County has already qualified for the Republican primary.

Senate district 35: Senator Perry Lee (R-Mendenhall) will be facing Cliff Brown of Rankin County for a second time. Brown also challenged Lee in the Republican primary in 2003, when both men were vying to replace Senator Rob Smith (D-Florence). Lee faced a tricky situation then – most primary voters in the district live in Rankin County, not Lee’s native Simpson County. Even so, Lee was able to overcome geography in ’03 and should have less of a problem this time as an incumbent.

Senate district 43: Two Democrats are already vying for the nomination to run against Senator Shannon Walley (R-Leakesville), who just switched to the GOP. Interestingly, in ’03, Walley himself defeated a party switcher, Senator Tommy Dickerson (R-Waynesboro). Bobby Hendry and Jerry Hutto, both from Wayne County, are both hopeful of playing the role Walley did in 2003. No word on if they’ll switch in 2011 if they happen to win in ’07.

Senate district 45: Senator Ed Morgan (R-Hattiesburg) hasn’t qualified for re-election yet, but by all reports he will. When he does, he’ll be facing a primary challenge in Forrest County Board of Supervisors President Billy Hudson. Aside from being an elected official, Hudson is part of the family that has a well known chain of stores in South Mississippi. Fundraising won’t be a problem in his campaign. Morgan has the advantages of incumbency and having been a former mayor of Hattiesburg. It promises to be one of the most interesting primary races for the legislature.

Senate district 52: Senator Tommy Moffatt (R- Gautier) has drawn a Democratic opponent in his Jackson County district. Jim Wilson qualified early for the race. He’ll need all the head start he can get to win in this heavily Republican district.

House: Republicans would need to be dealt a straight flush to win control of the House this cycle, but they could pick up enough seats to effect a change of leadership. Speaker McCoy seems to currently have the votes he needs to ward off a leadership challenge by Rep. Jeff Smith (D-Columbus). However, the change of just a few seats cause a huge change in House leadership.

With over a month left to qualify, these races are already shaping up as ones to watch:

Incumbent Dems with general election races: Ricky Cummings (District 1 – Alcorn and Tishomingo), Harvey Moss (2nd district – Alcorn), Warner McBride (District 10 – Lafayette, Panola, Tallahatchie), Steve Holland (District 16 – Lee), John Mayo (District 25 – Coahoma, DeSoto, Tunica), Shaun Walley (District 105 – Forrest, George, Green, Perry, Wayne)

Incumbent Democrats with primaries: Clara Burnett (District 9 – Coahoma, Panola, Quitman, Tate, Tunica), Warner McBride (District 10 – Lafayette, Panola, Tallahatchie), Ferr Smith (District 27 – Attala, Leake, Madison, Yazoo), David Gibbs (District 36 – Clay, Lowndes, Monroe), Robert Earl Vince (District 99 – Lamar, Marion, Pike, Walthall)

Incumbent Republicans with general election races: Brian Aldridge (District 17 – Lee), Jim Beckett (District 23 – Calhoun, Clay, Webster, Oktibbeha), Jim Simpson (District 120 – Harrison),

Incumbent Republicans with primary races: Jim Ellington (District 73 – Hinds)

Open Democratic seats: District 19 (currently held by Jamie Franks). One Democrat and one Republican have already qualified.

Open Republican seats: District 84 (currently held by Eric Robinson). One Republican has already qualified.

Money Breakdown

Presidential hopeful coming to Madison

Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) will be joining the Madison County Republican Party in honoring Congressman Chip Pickering on February 19 at the Hilton Hotel as part of the Party’s annual Presidents Day Gala.

Brownback, who recently announced his bid for Republican nomination to the Presidency, began his political career as a White House Fellow and was then elected to serve as Kansas’ Secretary of Agriculture. In 1994, Brownback was elected to the United States House of Representatives as part of the Republican Revolution. In 1996, he took Bob Dole’s place in the United States Senate.

A staunch conservative in the Senate, Brownback is looking to fill the void on the right side of the Republican primary for president.

In the Senate, he serves on the Appropriations, Judiciary, and Joint Economic Committees. He is the Ranking Member on the Joint Economic Committee, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, as well as the subcommittee responsible for the Constitution. He also serves in the Helsinki Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, co-chairs the Senate Cancer Coalition and the Human Rights Caucus, chairs the Senate Values Action Team, and is a founding member of the Senate Fiscal Watch Team.

 

Chaney pulling double-duty as capitol correspondent

State Rep. John Mayo (D-Clarksdale) is well-known for the e-mail’s he sends out every week summarizing what’s going on in the legislature. Now, Senator Mike Chaney (R-Vicksburg) is getting in on the act too – albeit on a different medium. Chaney is airing daily legislative updates in his Senate district.

Nomination heading South?

Jackson attorney Mike Wallace is leaving Phelps Dunbar for Wise Carter. Wallace recently withdrew his name from consideration for a slot on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Nominated by President George W. Bush after Judge Charles Pickering’s recess appointment expired, Wallace had run into strong opposition from Senate Democrats. Wallace joins other high profile Republicans at Wise Carter - Senator Charlie Ross, who has already announced his intentions to run for the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor, and former State Senator Steve Seale.

Movers and Shakers

This year, Brett Boyles, Sen. Trent Lott’s Chief of staff made it on to Roll Call’s Fabulous Fifty. This list is comprised of movers and shakers behind the scenes of Capitol Hill, and its members are chosen based on Know-How,” “Muscle,” “Spin Control,” and “Access.” Boyles was born and raised in Hattiesburg where he graduated with a degree in economic development from USM. An employee of Sen. Lott’s for over a decade, Boyles started in the mailroom and worked his way up the ranks. He was named Chief of Staff shortly before Hurricane Katrina.

Gray Swoope was named Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority after the retirement of former ED Leland Speed. Swoope brings nearly 20 years of economic development experience to the agency. Prior to joining MDA, the West Point native was President of the Area Development Partnership in Hattiesburg. He has served as a Deputy Director of the agency since Governor Haley Barbour took office in January, 2004.

Whit Hughes, owner of PWH Strategies and finance director for the Ross for Lt. Governor campaign, will be leving the political arena to be the new Deputy Director of the Mississippi Development Authority.

Jim and Jordan Perry were married in Scotland in late December. Jim is the Director of Policy for Governor Haley Barbour. Jordan is the Director of Major Gifts at the Mississippi Museum of Art. Prior to joining MMA, she worked in Washington at the Dutko Group, a DC based lobbying firm.

Derek and Meghan Easley are the proud parents of Andrew Colton Easley. Colton was born on January 9th, weighing in at 8lbs. 2oz. Derek is the Governmental Affairs Director at the Mississippi Association of Realtors.

Steven Carter is the new Director of Communications for the Mississippi Republican Party. Before he started forking for the MRP, he was a Field Director for Vanguard Strategies, a political firm out of Jackson. Steven graduated from Mississippi College in 2006 with a degree in Political Science.

Chrissy Cheshire was named Finance Director for the Phil Bryant for Lt. Governor campaign. Cheshire helped launch VIP Magazine which was recently purchased by Gannett, the parent company of The Clarion Ledger.

Brad and Millie Clanton had a baby girl, Mary Alexandra, on January 8th. She weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz. Both mother and daughter are doing well. Brad represents the state’s Health Care Trust Fund board in its motion to intervene against the judicial order granting $20 million a year to the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi. No word on whether former AG Mike Moore sent Clanton a congratulatory cigar.
 
Joe Nosef has left his job as counsel to Governor Haley Barbour to manage Barbour’s re-election campaign. Magnolia Report readers may be familiar with Nosef from his ’03 run for the state legislature.
 
Ryan Annison, who was Governor Barbour’s aide-de-camp for the past two years, has also moved over to the Barbour campaign. Replacing him is Ken Sones, who moves over from the Governor’s Office of Recovery and Renewal. Courtney Olivier, former deputy press secretary for Governor Haley Barbour, and Shellie Purvis, member of the 2003 Barbour for Governor campaign staff, have signed on with the Barbour for Governor campaign.
 
Johnny Franklin has joined the office of Governor Haley Barbour as an education policy advisor. Franklin brings a lifetime of experience to the position as a school administrator. In the late ‘80’s, Franklin set-up the Mississippi School of Math and Science, a state sponsored school in Columbus for academically advanced juniors and seniors. In 2003, he worked at BIPEC, where he was responsible for recruiting candidates for the legislature.
 

 

Quotable Quotes

“I often think we would have been better off if the terrorists had blown up our levees. Maybe we’d have gotten more attention... Mississippi is actually the most corrupt state in the union, but you never hear that, because there’s some political undertones about having Mississippi look so good and having Louisiana look not so good at the national level.”-- Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)

"I wasn't as pure as the driven snow," the 72-year-old former sheriff said Thursday of his past. "But I wasn't Saddam Hussein, either."-- Ex-Harrison County Sheriff LeRoy Hobbs on his attempt to get his job back after nearly 12 years in federal prison for racketeering and drug related charges.