Content by BrettK
Posted at 6:54pm on May 20, 2008 MS- Sen: Musgrove (D) Leading Wicker (R) 48-40 (in Democratic poll)
By BrettK
The Rothenberg Political Report has a Democratic poll up showing that former Governor Ronnie Musgrove (D) is leading Sen. Roger Wicker (R), who was appointed to the position in December, by a 48-40 margin for the Mississippi Senate race to replace Trent Lott.
It is a Democratic poll, so take what you want from it, but it is not exactly good news given the results from MS-1 last week
Posted at 10:49pm on Mar. 13, 2008 Rep. Bud Cramer (D-AL) To Retire
By BrettK
The Hill is reporting that Democratic Rep. Bud Cramer is ending his 18-year career in the House.
The district voted for Bush twice, including a 60-39 margin in 2004. Here is the district profile from CQ Politics. This is an excellent opportunity for a GOP pickup. Anyone know any possible candidates?
Posted at 5:54pm on Dec. 31, 2007 MS: Another Open Seat For The GOP
By BrettK
The appointment of Roger Wicker to Trent Lott's Senate seat did not surprise too many people, but it does set up an open seat in the First district. The governor does not appoint a replacement. He must call a special election within 60 days of the vacancy and it must be held at least 40 days after that. So, the election to fill the remainder of Wicker’s term will most likely take place on March 11 to go along with the primaries. The winner will then have to run again in November for the full two-year term.
Posted in 2008 | Mississippi — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 8:42pm on Dec. 28, 2007 MS-Sen: Pickering Not Interested, Barbour To Announce Replacement Monday
By BrettK
[Promoted from diaries by Mark K, 'cos as Mississippi goes, so goes the nation. We often wish.]
Outgoing Rep. Chip Pickering will not seek Trent Lott’s soon to be vacant seat. Here is his statement:
“It has been a privilege to serve Mississippi in Congress for these past 11 years. I am extremely honored to be considered as a potential appointee to the U.S. Senate, and I am very grateful to those who encouraged me to consider this opportunity.”
“In August, after much prayer, thought and consideration for what I believe is best for my family, I made a very difficult decision not to seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008. I continue to stand by that decision in relation to this Senate vacancy. I believe public service is an honorable calling. But now is not my time.”
“I spoke with Governor Haley Barbour and shared with him my decision not to seek Trent Lott’s Senate seat in the upcoming special election, and asked him to remove my name from consideration for the appointment. I plan to remain active in politics and in the community, and I sincerely hope I will have the opportunity to serve the people of Mississippi again in the future.”
Read On...
Posted in 2008 | Mississippi — Comments (10) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 12:02am on Dec. 14, 2007 MS-Sen: Moore Not Running For Senate
By BrettK
The top Democratic candidate for Trent Lott’s soon-to-be-open seat, former Attorney General Mike Moore, has decided against a run in November.
From the Clarion-Ledger:
Former Democratic state Attorney General Mike Moore said he would not seek U.S. Sen. Trent Lott’s seat in the special election scheduled Nov. 4.
Posted in 2008 | Mississippi — Comments (11) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 8:36pm on Dec. 3, 2007 MS- Sen: Amy Tuck Not Interested In Lott's Seat
By BrettK
You can scratch outgoing Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck off the list of possible replacements for Trent Lott’s seat.
According to this WTOK story, Tuck is not interested in being appointed to either Trent Lott’s Senate seat or Chip Pickering’s House seat (should he get the appointment and it opens up).
Tuck told Newscenter 11 she is not interested in serving in Sen. Trent Lott’s seat until a special election is held Nov. 4, 2008, nor in Rep. Chip Pickering’s seat, should he be appointed to the Senate position.
“I have been honored to serve at lieutenant governor of this state and I look forward to working as a special assistant to Dr. Foglesong at Mississippi State University,” Tuck said.
She would have been a strong candidate, but the GOP field is extremely deep. Here are two polls (poll A and poll B) on the favorability/ unfavorability rating of possible candidates from both parties. While they are not properly weighted for Mississippi’s demographics, they show Chip Pickering is by far the most popular politician in the state (who was polled) at 64 percent favorable and only 14 percent unfavorable. The Dems top candidate, Mike Moore has strong favorability ratings- 48 percent but surprisingly high unfavorabilities at 34 percent.
Follow the race at Majority In Mississippi.
Posted in 2008 | Mississippi — Comments (6) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 7:53pm on Nov. 26, 2007 MS- Sen: More On Lott's Resignation
By BrettK
Cross-posted at Majority In Mississippi:
I don’t think the whole deal with Trent resigning could get more confusing. But I will try to hash out some possibilities about filling his seat.
Here is some of what Barbour said about the soon-to-be open seat, according to the Clarion-Ledger:
Posted in 2008 | Mississippi — Comments (6) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 3:53pm on Nov. 14, 2007 MS-Sen: Cochran Will Seek Re-Election
By BrettK
Some rumors that Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) will retire were put to rest today when he announced that he is running for another term.
From The Hill:
Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) said Wednesday that he will seek reelection in 2008, casting aside rumors of his impending retirement.
Cochran, who will turn 70 next month, has not raised a lot of money this cycle but had previously said he planned to run for reelection.
Posted in 2008 | Mississippi — Comments (4) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 9:56pm on Nov. 6, 2007 Mississippi Liveblog- Haley Wins!
By BrettK
The polls will be closing down here in Mississippi in a couple minutes. I am sitting at Gov. Barbour’s victory party in Jackson as people start coming in. I will provide numbers as soon as I hear them. I am also following a number of other key statewide races. Stay tuned.
Also, check out my personal blog- Majority In Mississippi- for more on the election.
Go below the fold for the live updates:
Posted in 2007 | Mississippi — Comments (2) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 8:45pm on Oct. 17, 2007 MS-Gov: Haley Barbour Wins Endorsement of Prominent Dems
By BrettK
Haley Barbour, well on his way to a second term, received more good news today in the form of endorsements from a number of prominent Democrats.
Two of those endorsements are from former Democratic Governor Bill Waller and former Lt. Governor Brad Dye. Both these men are fairly conservative Democrats and their support of Barbour is not to surprising.
But the other endorsements may surprise. One of those Democrats is Mike Espy, former 2nd District Congressman and Secretary of Agriculture (under Bill Clinton). Espy, as you may know, is African-American and a lifelong Democrat. Another long-time African-American Democratic activist and current mayor of Moss Point, Xavier Bishop, also endorsed Barbour.
You may not know their names if you are outside Mississippi, but listen to me when I say, they are well known and well respected within the African-American community in Mississippi (which makes up some 40 percent of the electorate). We will have to wait and see what the election brings; but with the state Dems already struggling to win rural whites (one of their traditional constituencies), losing their main constituency- the African-American voter- will result in wilderness in Mississippi politics.
Click on a name to see their announcement in support of Barbour.