the race for Secretary of State

The race for Secretary of State is turning out to be quite competitive despite the large fundraising lead piled up by Delbert Hosemann. Hosemann, you’ll recall is a Jackson tax attorney who unsuccessfully challenged Ronnie Shows for an open seat in Congress in 1998. Hosemann better funded and better regarded in power circles, lost that race to a more populist and down home politician. It could happen again. He seems to have a penchant for coronations rather than elections. With $320,000 raised so far with $306,000 left in his campaign coffers, he should have no problem winning the GOP primary. Jeffrey Rupp is barely keeping up with $124,000 raised and just under $104,000 left in the kitty. However, this is a democracy and the voters have the final say. Running the same type of insular courthouse and country club campaign could cause him to lose either the primary or general elections. State Rep. Mike Lott is totally uncompetitive with only $21,000 in cash on hand.

House 66: Wilson outraises Brown

State Representative Cecil Brown, a longtime capitol veteran has been outraised by his GOP Opponent in the race to retain his seat in this fall’s state elections. According to reports filed by the Secretary of State, Republican Cory T. Wilson has raised more than $90,000 and has $ 75, 283 dollars on hand. In contrast, Rep. Brown has $62,000 remaining and his fundraising has been weak this year. Almost all of Wilson’s record haul was raised this year. INCREDIBLE.

Judge denies insurance commissioner’s party switch request

HAT TIP: Clarion Ledger By Natalie Chandler

A Calhoun County judge has denied Insurance Commissioner George Dale’s request to seek re-election as an independent. Judge Henry Lackey instead ordered the Democratic Party to put Insurance Commissioner George Dale on their ballot for the August primary. Dale’s request to run as an independent “is simply beyond the power of this Court to grant,” an opinion issued by Lackey said. “This Court does not have the power or authority to change the law.” Democratic Party executive committee members booted Dale in March because he publicly supported President Bush, a Republican, in 2004. Dale then challenged them in court. Party officials offered to take him back, but Dale asked permission to run as an independent. Media coverage of his dilemma would hurt him in the August primary, his attorney said.

Unless overturned by a higher court, this ruling sets up a contest between democrats Jim Rasberry or Gary Anderson and Republican Mike Chaney for Insurance commissioner. The possibility of the legislature choosing the Insurance Commissioner as they did the governor in 1999 has diminished.

Mississippi House District 66: Brown vs. Wilson

Rep. Cecil Brown D-Jackson is facing yet another primary challenge and this year, a general election bid from a truly blue-chip republican in the form of Yale educated attorney Cory T. Wilson.   This race is generational contest pitting age against beauty. Rep. Brown’s long resume and service in State Government as State Fiscal Officer, former gubernatorial Chief of Staff, and now, State Representative and Chairman of the House Education Committee, makes him a seasoned veteran of the corridors of power.  

A pro-business conservative Democrat, he has fended off two aggressive challengers in the last two state elections in 1999 and 2003.    He defeated developer Cecilia Reese Bullock, in 99 and trial lawyer Chris Klotz, in 2003 in one of the most expensive House races that year.   Klotz criticized Brown’s support for tort reform and his support from the Mississippi business community.  

 

This year, corporate defense attorney Cory T. Wilson, fresh from a White House fellowship, is challenging Representative Brown from the right.  Wilson told Mississippi Politics, “I was so disappointed to hear someone who ran as a pro-business moderate two years ago angrily attacking Governor Haley Barbour’s leadership, on behalf of Speaker McCoy. By entering the race, I offer the people of District 66 someone who can work with the Governor and build relationships with the rest of the Jackson legislative delegation to get things done for our neighborhoods–instead of obstructing the Governor’s agenda on behalf of Speaker McCoy.”  

Last year and in this one, Rep. Brown was in the thick of the fight to reduce sales taxes on groceries and increase cigarette taxes to ease the burden on low-income Mississippians.  Gaining majority support in both houses of the legislature, Governor Barbour vetoed two measures that would have either eliminated or halved sales taxes on groceries and increased sales taxes on cigarettes.   Both measures represent the consensus of thought and opinion in the legislature and conform to the will of the people.  Lt. Governor Amy Tuck took the lead in the Senate in attempting to override the Governor’s veto.   She failed but in the end became an unsung hero to those still suffering from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. 

This year Rep. Brown teamed up with legislators Hardin and Mayo in a measure named for the late Rep. May Whittington.  The House, under the leadership of Speaker McCoy, passed their bill onto the Senate where allies of the Governor killed it. 

The battle lines are firmly drawn in this legislative fight.  I expect Rep. Brown to win his battle for renomination and to defeat his GOP challenger in the general election.   The reason: common-sense and demographics.     Rep. Brown, as I’ve said, is a seasoned politico who knows how to win.  He wins because his brand of populist, common-sense, pro-business politics is always a winner.  Secondly, this district, as of 5 years ago, had a 50% black voting age population.   Any democrat incapable of getting out a Black vote that large deserves to lose.   I have yet to see it happen. Expect this race to shatter all previous fundraising records.