Romney In Mississippi

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney was in Jackson Wednesday morning raising some big money for his campaign to win the White House.

Romney payed a visit to businessman Randy James for a fundraiser luncheon where the suggested minimum contribution was a thousand dollars per person.

The event was closed to the media but as he was leaving, Romney said he plans on looking to Mississippi for support.

“We have lots of events with a lot of friends, fund raising, fund raising events,” said Romney as his car pulled away from the home, “and we’ve got a lot of good support here [in Mississippi].”

Lt. Governor-elect Tate Reeves, Agriculture Commissioner-elect Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann were part of the crowd.

via Romney In Mississippi.

PERRY/Dems hosing of Todd Wade – Madison County Journal – Madison County Mississippi

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The arguments by Wades legal team – due process, Administrative Procedures Law, Department of Justice preclearance – did not faze the SBEC, nor did their strongest play which cited the legislature prescribed an exclusive manner to challenge a candidates qualifications which the SBEC failed to follow.

Mississippi Code 23-15-963 describes the “Exclusive procedures for contesting qualifications of candidate for general election” stating “[a]ny person desiring to contest the qualifications of another person who has qualified…as a candidate for any office elected at a general election, shall file a petition… not later than thirty-one 31 days after the date of the first primary election….” The law reserved itself as the “sole and only manner in which the qualification of a candidate…may be challenged prior to the time of his election.”

The 31-day clock expired Sept. 2, one week before Hosemann raised the issue at the state Election Commission meeting. The statute of limitations had expired – or in football terms-the next play had begun; it was too late to challenge the previous play.

This isnt just my opinion. Attorney General Hoods office issued an opinion in 2005 stating a municipal executive committee could not accept a challenge against a certified primary candidate after the deadline had expired – even if the candidate made material misrepresentations of qualifications. The opinion cited the same Mississippi Supreme Court case Wades legal team used to argue Wade could not be removed from the ballot after the 31-day clock expired.

Hosemann and Hood responded the state Election Commission had done this before.

Following the vote, Hosemann and Hood decided the Republican Party had three and a half hours until 5 p.m. to name a qualified replacement for Wade.

When that time came, the commission reconvened. Sen. Billy Hewes, President Pro Tem of the Senate, presided via speaker phone because Bryant was “incapable of performing said duties” and the Constitutional line of succession went next to Hewes. The commission finalized the ballot and Hosemann said he had not heard from the Republicans about a replacement for Wade. He asked his staff when the ballot had to be distributed the next day and suggested the MSGOP have until morning to name a replacement. Hood objected and noted they had chosen a 5 p.m. deadline. Hosemann acquiesced.

Republican Ole Miss football fans can legitimately blame an administrative action for losing this one, but at least Oxford Democrats will have something to celebrate with their Senate win in November.

via PERRY/Dems hosing of Todd Wade – Madison County Journal – Madison County Mississippi.

House Ratings For All 122 Seats « Majority In Mississippi

- 44 seats are considered ‘Safe Republican’

- 46 seats are considered ‘Safe Democrat’

- 3 seats are considered ‘Likely Republican’

- 1 seat is considered ‘Likely Democrat’

- 3 seats are considered ‘Lean Republican

- 5 seats are considered ‘Lean Democrat’

- 20 seats are considered ‘Toss Up’

Among the 20 Toss Up seats, 16 are held by Democrats- including 10 open seats- and 4 are held by Republicans, all featuring the incumbent.

To view all the ratings in detail go to this link: House Ratings For All 122 Seats « Majority In Mississippi.

Bryant focuses on job creation – Elections – SunHerald.com

In a meeting with the Sun Herald on Wednesday, Bryant said as governor he would be focused on creating jobs and keeping existing jobs.

He outlined his jobs program, which includes keeping corporate taxes low and creating a “Governor’s Regulatory Commission.” He said this 12-member civilian panel would review current regulatory practices to ensure fairness and make the state more business friendly.

Bryant said he would push to phase out the inventory tax and reduce the sales tax on construction equipment.

He said the state must expand its energy exploration and production, and look to new technologies such as biofuels, clean coal and nuclear and solar engergy “to ensure Mississippi maintains its roles as a world leader in energy production.”

Bryant said he would continue to promote tourism on the Coast and statewide.

“There are 81,000 direct and indirect jobs in Mississippi in tourism and travel,” he said. “That’s 81 Toyota plants.”

Bryant said he would also work to bring more manufacturers to the state. He said he would love for the state slogan to change from “the Hospitality State” to “We Make Things.”

Bryant refuses to take campaign donations from casinos, and said he opposes them expanding to jurisdictions beyond where they are now. But he said he fought any efforts in the Legislature to raise their taxes and he doesn’t oppose the industry.

via Bryant focuses on job creation – Elections – SunHerald.com.

Scott County Times – Legislature should not punt to the courts on redistricting

Our legislators still have the opportunity to decide how congressional districts will be distributed without being told by federal life-term judges dictating how the lines will look.

In the latest developments of the redistricting soap opera, Mississippi’s Republican Party is asking for the federal court to decide the boundaries of the state’s four congressional districts because the Party does not feel the Legislature can get the job done before next year’s election primaries. Considering the Legislature’s recent track record on redistricting, one can hardly blame the GOP for their concerns.

Keep in mind that many of our federal judges were appointed by Republican presidents, possibly leading the Mississippi GOP to hope the judges would be favorable to Republican stronghold areas of the state.

Still, asking the federal court to do the job that our elected state leaders should have already completed during the regular session is not fair to our voters. Mississippians held directly accountable to the voters should decide how the districts are drawn.

This is not a suggestion that the judges can’t draw the districts. We are only suggesting that it is not the judges’ place to do so. It is the responsibility of state elected leaders. That’s what we send them to Jackson to do.The next regular legislative session begins January 3 which is 10 days before the qualifying deadline for congressional candidates to file their candidacies for the March 13 primaries. The U.S. Justice Department, as usual, must approve our districts which can take 60 days or more but if they show sensitivity to our situation, they can expedite the process.

via Scott County Times – Forest, Mississippi.

Gov. Bobby Jindal helps candidate for governor in Mississippi | NOLA.com

Gov. Bobby Jindal is helping a fellow Republican in his neighboring state drum up cash for the Mississippi governor’s race. Jindal traveled Tuesday to Biloxi, Miss., to attend a fundraiser for GOP Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant.

Jindal’s spokesman announced the trip Tuesday.

Bryant is running against Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree, a Democrat, in the Nov. 8 general election. The winner will succeed Republican Gov. Haley Barbour in January. Barbour could not seek a third term.

Jindal is up for re-election on Oct. 22, but he’s attracted no well-funded opponents.

via Gov. Bobby Jindal helps candidate for governor in Mississippi | NOLA.com.

GOP asks US judges to draw Miss. congressional map – Houston Chronicle

JACKSON, Miss. AP — The Mississippi Republican Party is asking federal judges to redraw the states four U.S. House districts before the 2012 elections.

In court papers filed this month, the party said theres “no likelihood” that legislators will handle congressional redistricting on time.

The next regular legislative session begins Jan. 3. Thats 10 days before the congressional candidates qualifying deadline for the March 13 primaries.

The U.S. Justice Department must approve Mississippis new congressional maps to ensure they dont dilute black voting strength, and the review process generally takes at least 60 days.

“Theres no time for legislators to take it up during the qualifying time, so we thought it was in the best interest of candidates for Congress to have adequate time to know what their districts are going to be,” Republican Party chairman Arnie Hederman said in an interview Monday.

Democrat Tommy Reynolds of Charleston, chairman of the House Elections Committee, said he believes its possible to handle congressional redistricting in a special session this fall.

“For the life of me, I cant see why there couldnt be an agreement worked out,” Reynolds told The Associated Press.

Republican Gov. Haley Barbour said late last month that hed prefer that legislators redraw the congressional districts, instead of judges. But he said he wont call a special session unless theres an agreement in hand.

“Theres no use in bringing the Legislature in here to sit around and spend money when theres no agreement,” Barbour said Aug. 29.

via GOP asks US judges to draw Miss. congressional map – Houston Chronicle.

Houston Receives Legislative Endorsement

The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus lended its support to Gary Houston during a ceremony held at Fifth Street Baptist Church in Meridian on Sunday. Houston says he is grateful for the endorsement and hopes it will help him in his effort to move District 83 and Mississippi forward.

“They’ve come from all across mississippi to gather right here in Meridian and Lauderdale County to say we believe in the campaign to move Mississippi forward,” Houston says in reference to the endorsement from the Black Caucus. ” We don’t want to see our state legislature become one-sided.”

Houston will face Republican Incumbent Greg Snowden and Independent Sam Thompson in November’s general election.

via Houston Receives Legislative Endorsement.

State Treasurer Profile: Connie Moran talks economic development – The Dispatch

Ocean Springs Mayor and Democratic State Treasurer candidate Connie Moran hopes her message to voters helps fend off Republican opponent Lynn Fitch in the general election in November. Moran was unopposed in the August primaries.

The election has landmark potential to change the landscape of Mississippi politics, as Republicans make a push to gain majority in the Mississippi House of Representatives, as well as win the Governor and Attorney General races. The GOP hasn’t controlled the Mississippi house in more than 120 years.

The treasurer sits on 12 different boards and commissions that approve bond funding and infrastructure spending in the state. Being outnumbered by Republicans would hinder Moran’s ideas from ever getting off the ground.

She knows what she’s up against, as close to 20 elected Democrats in the state have switched to Republican since 2008.

“I would like for people to judge me, not by party label but by the programs and projects I’ve been able to get going in Ocean Springs,” Moran said Sept. 20 on a campaign visit to Starkville. “Look at my background, educational experience and my values.”

As she sipped coffee in a cafe in downtown Starkville, Moran referenced similarities between her push to pass a bond referendum for a municipal complex in Ocean Springs and Starkville’s upcoming justice complex referendum. Moran was able to get a 2-percent levy on restaurants and lounges, which helped fund a new police station, jail, court room and sportsplex in 2007. Moran reduced costs by acquiring a grant for the land and avoided using bonds.

via State Treasurer Profile: Connie Moran talks economic development – The Dispatch.

Barker, Cook vie for rep post

Democrat David Cook has run in political circles for years, working for such former Mississippi officeholders as Sonny Montgomery, Ray Mabus, Brad Dye and Dick Molpus.

Republican Toby Barker has been within the state’s inner circle the past four years, serving in the state House of Representatives.

The two will meet Nov. 8 in the general election with the District 102 House seat up for grabs. The district falls within Forrest and Lamar counties, with Hattiesburg at the heart.

Barker, director of the Southern Mississippi Business Assistance Center, said he has been “walking my district, five to six days a week since April,” spreading his pro-Hattiesburg and fiscally-responsible philosophy to his constituents.

“That’s the message that we’re trying to get out there, pushing an agenda that makes Hattiesburg strong,” said Barker, who defeated Ric McCluskey in the Republican primary in August.

That agenda features a three-pronged plan: bolstering economic recruitment and entrepreneurship; protecting the interests of hospitals, doctors and nurses; and supporting education, particularly the area’s senior and junior colleges.

“Almost the entire district is within the city,” Barker said, “and those, I believe, are common themes wherever you go.”

Cook, who has worked as a medical administrator and consultant for the past 15 years, was a pre-teen when his grandmother, Evelyn Gandy, ran for office.

He became more actively involved in the political realm through high school and college.

But this will be Cook’s first foray into an actual race.

“I got into this because, as a whole, I believe that (University of Southern Mississippi) had not been receiving adequate representation,” Cook said. “That would be one of my top priorities.”

Cook said his medical background had educated him on the critical need for the state to fully fund Medicaid and he also would push for continued economic development and more funding for public schools.

“I would work to raise teachers’ salaries to the Southeast average so to better attract and keep quality teachers,” Cook said.

Cook, who ran unopposed in the primary, said he is hoping to appeal to voters who “don’t vote the party vote, necessarily, but vote the person.”

via Barker, Cook vie for rep post | Hattiesburg American | hattiesburgamerican.com.