MS-01: Open Seat

[Diary edited for copyright concerns. – Mgmt.]

Some words about the new open seat in Mississippi from Jackson’s Clarion-Ledger newspaper…

Outgoing state Rep. Jamie Franks said it’s unlikely he will run against state Rep. Steve Holland for the congressional seat Roger Wicker’s recent appointment to the U.S. Senate left vacant.

“And I don’t believe he would run against me either,” Franks said of his friend and fellow representative. Both are Democrats from north Mississippi.

Wicker was appointed Monday by Gov. Haley Barbour to the Senate seat Trent Lott vacated. A special election is to be called within 60 days, Barbour said, then held within 60 days after that.

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State Rep. Steve Holland (D) is a former Republican, folks.  He used to work for Congressman Thad Cochran (R-MS) back in his younger days.  He once said that he didn’t leave the Republican Party; it left him.  Now that he’s had time to wise up and become a Democrat, Holland has made his way into the ranks of power in the MS Legislature.  He’s a committee chairman and close confidant of House Speaker Billy McCoy (D).  I don’t see why Holland would give up such power to move to Washington.  Jamie Franks will soon be a former member of the House.  It’s not like he has much to do these days anyway… other than be a lawyer.