With all statewide elected officials, with the exception of Attorney General Hood, carrying the GOP tag, and a majority of GOPs in both of Mississippi’s legislative houses – a first since reconstruction, Mississippi is as close as you can get to “full fledged Red.” House Speaker Phillip Gunn of Clinton is the first GOP speaker since 1876. One of the contributions to the GOP majority in both houses are the new legislators: 21 new GOPs in the House as opposed to only 11 new Dems; 13 new GOPs in the Senate as opposed to only 2 new Dems. Another is incumbents who have switched sides of the isle.
The preliminaries of the session are over. We are entering week 2 and the work begins. How will the GOPs shape our state? And how will the Dems adjust to their new position of “sho’ nuff’” loyal opposition? Everyone will be feeling their way for a bit. I am looking for an exhibition of grace and civility on the part of all legislators as they make this adjustment.
It’s a new era in Mississippi!
